Gov’t released PHP54.19-M compensation for ‘Yolanda’ victims

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA)-- The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas has released PHP54.19 million for the injured and death claims of super typhoon Yolanda survivors, almost three years after the storm.

OCD Eastern Visayas finance officer Ben Linde said as of October this year, out of the 4,477 application for death claims, 4,185 have been processed and released to beneficiaries.

After completing the required documents submitted to the OCD, the survivor-beneficiary is entitled to receive PHP10,000 compensation for the death of a family member.

Meanwhile, out of the 8,474 injured who submitted their requirements to the OCD, only 2,270 of them have received their claims, amounting to PHP5,000 each.

“We stopped processing claims for other typhoons because our top priority now are super typhoon Yolanda victims,” Linde added.

There were local government units that submitted additional number of injured persons to our office a year after the deadline, but these were still accepted by our office. Late submission is the reason why processing and release has been delayed,” Linde explained.

The claimants from Hernani, Eastern Samar and Tacloban City are expected to receive death claims this November or December this year.

The OCD has already coordinated with the city government for the processing of 3,000 claims.

The target is to finish the release of claims before the year ends or January of 2017.

In 2015 or two years after the disaster, there were only 2,240 applicants for injured victims where OCD released PHP11.2 million. For the death claims, the amount was pegged at PHP53 million for 4,180 applications.

This year, an additional PHP1.19 million were distributed to more claimants, bringing the total to PHP54. 19 million. The amount is expected with the ongoing processing of claims. (PNA)
FPV/SQM/Lizbeth Ann A. Abella