Health dept says shellfish poisoning in Biliran over

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has declared the problem of paralytic shellfish poisoning in Biliran province as over, following the release of the last patient from hospital.

After the toxins killed two persons and hospitalized six others, the health department said no new case has been reported in more than a week. Local health authorities discharged the last victim from the Biliran Provincial Hospital on December 22.

“In our desire to celebrate the Yuletide season in a healthy way, please avoid eating shellfish gathered from infested areas, unless the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources confirms that it is already safe,” said DOH regional director Minerva Molon.

Molon has reported 40 suspected cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning in the towns of Cabucgayan, Kawayan and Maripipi.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) regional office here said that for several months, the contamination has thrived in Irong Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; the coastal waters of Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; and the coastal waters of Naval, Biliran. Early this month, it expanded to Calubian, Leyte.

BFAR regional director, Juan Albaladejo, reminded local government units and coastal communities not to take the shellfish ban lightly.

The fisheries bureau reported that an old man and a girl from Biliran died last week of paralytic shellfish poisoning after eating leaf oysters harvested in the Naval waters and nearby Carigara Bay in Leyte. (PNA)

 CVL/SQM/Robert S. Bona (OJT)

Tacloban marks 120th Rizal Day; mayor urges people to emulate example of national hero

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 30 (PNA) -- The city government here held simple rites on Friday to commemorate the 120th Rizal Day.

A flag-raising ceremony followed by wreath-laying at the monument at Rizal Park marked the local commemoration to honor the country’s national hero.

In a speech of Mayor Cristina Romualdez delivered by city administrator Irene Chu, she said that people should always emulate the example of the national hero.

“We hope that we will always remember the sacrifice he had made to regain our freedom from the Spanish colonization,” Chu told the crowd of local officials.

She also encouraged the different government agencies present during the event to follow the acts of Rizal, especially in the delivery of public service.

“Let us emulate his acts of heroism and let us instill in ourselves the spirit of martyrdom. We hope that we can be heroes I our own little ways by providing service to the public and by doing the best for our country,” Chu added.

According to the National Historical Commission, the country observes the death anniversary of Rizal to remember the nationalism and martyrdom of the national hero. It is also said to be “a national day of mourning” for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish dominion throughout its three centuries rule. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/Robert S. Bona (OJT)

Yolanda survivors still picking up pieces this New Year

PALO, Leyte, Dec. 30 (PNA) -– Celebrating the New Year will never be the same again for Pete Lacandazo, 60, who lost 22 of his family members when super typhoon Yolanda pummeled their coastal village three years ago.

Lacandazo, a village council member of San Joaquin in this town, has been celebrating the holiday season in the past three years with John Paul, his only grandchild who survived Yolanda’s wrath.

“I may look happy, but deep inside I don't feel the same level of happiness as before when my family was still complete. I think Christmas and New Year are just normal days for me,” the grandfather shared.

Three years on, the memory of losing his wife, children and grandchildren keeps coming back. 

Storm surges swept away their house and all 22 members of his family died. He and John Paul managed to cling onto something, saving their lives.

“I will miss them more this coming New Year because it was really a big celebration when they’re still alive. My wife prepared the best food and all my grandchildren gathered together,” Lacandazo recalled.

The magnitude of Yolanda's destruction had changed the lives of thousands of survivors, forcing them to live out of their comfort zones in the past three years.

Although Pete held back the tears in his eyes, the words he said seemed like a thousand cries.

"Yes, I still have hope. Because maybe at the end of the day, I am still blessed," he said.

A few kilometers away fom Lacandazo’s house is where couple Ferdinand and Doris Quieta live. 

The monster typhoon took the lives of their four children, including their one-year-old toddler.

Ferdinand’s name rings a bell among children in Calogcog village in Tanauan town since after Yolanda.

“Children in our neighborhood have been coming to our house every weekend or any day they want to play with toys. We treat them as our own children,” he told PNA.

The idea of allowing children into their home popped up on Doris’ mind as a way of helping children traumatized by the Nov. 8, 2013 catastrophe.

Last December 28, he gathered all children in their community for a Christmas Party.

“Only my four children left, but look at us now, God has given us more children. Their laughter brings hope to us for a better New Year in 2017,” Ferdinand, 45, shared.

Sadly, the couple had no more capacity to bear a child after Doris underwent tubal ligation shortly before the super typhoon. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/Diane Derio/Robert S. Bona (OJT)

President Duterte visits, gives cash aid to Leyte explosion victims

HILONGOS, Leyte, Dec. 30 (PNA) -– President Rodrigo Duterte visited this town on Friday and gave additional cash assistance to the victims of the December 28 town plaza explosion.

The Chief Executive arrived past 10 a.m. on board a presidential chopper at Hilongos National Vocational School campus and walked for about 50 meters to the Hilongos District Hospital.

Duterte talked to the six blast victims still confined at the state-run health facility. All the patients already discharged from the hospital also came for a 40-minute meeting with the President.

He distributed PHP10,000 cash to the 10 victims, who are still recovering in the district hospital, including those admitted in Tacloban City and Maasin City. Outpatient victims got a PHP5,000 cash gift from President Duterte.

The cash aid is on top of the PHP5,000 assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and PHP3,000 from the office of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino distributed on Thursday.

Mary Grace Nemis, 12, who was hit by bomb shrapnel during the attack, received a new mobile phone from the President.

After an interaction with victims, President Duterte attended a security briefing with local police officials, military officers, Leyte Governor Dominico Petilla, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, and Hilongos Mayor Albert Villahermosa.

He was about to leave the hospital complex past noontime when he got off from the car and delivered a two-minute message to a large crowd who warmly welcomed him at the hospital’s parking lot.

“Trust your law enforcers because they know what they are doing. I was impressed that they are able to immediately identify the perpetrators,” Duterte told the crowd in vernacular. The town is just 38 kilometers north of Maasin City in Southern Leyte, the President’s birthplace.

The President earlier claimed the bombing that wounded 32 residents here, was “drug-related, and involving Moro people.”

The President stopped by this town after leading the Rizal Day commemoration rites at Rizal Park in Manila and before heading home to Davao City to spend the New Year holidays with his family.

About 500 people were gathered at the town plaza to watch an amateur boxing match on Wednesday night when two improvised explosive devices went off around 9:30 p.m., wounding 32 people. The attack coincided with the town’s annual fiesta celebration. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/RTA

Gov’t extends aid to Hilongos, Leyte explosion victims

HILONGOS, Leyte, Dec. 30 (PNA) –- Victims of the town plaza bombing got financial support from the government to help them celebrate New Year with hope.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino visited the town on Thursday afternoon to comfort the victims and distributed PHP3,000 financial assistance to each one of them.

This is on top of the PHP5,000 assistance received by blast victims from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“We want their New Year to be happy despite of the incident that spoiled the holiday season,” Dino told reporters.

Mayor Albert Villahermosa said the local government will also give PHP3,000 financial aid to each victim.

Dino said that the government is very concerned of the explosion that is why President Rodrigo Duterte sent him to assess the situation of victims.

"I am here to assess what really happened and for humanitarian aspect as ordered by the President to me to check the needs of victims," Dino said.

At least six bombing victims are still confined in Hilongos District Hospital while others in Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC).

Explosion victim Domingo Oliva was among those who received financial assistance from the central government.

Oliva was with his wife, son and grandchild at the town plaza to support the boxing match of his son’s friend when two bombs exploded Wednesday night. His wife, son, and granddaughter were seriously wounded and still recuperating at the EVRMC.

“I am thankful for this financial assistance and this will help us a lot, but bombers should pay for what they had done to us," Oliva said.

Rody Bulfa, 33, who is still recovering at the town’s district hospital, feel hatred and want to chase the perpetrators of the bombing that injured 32 of his town mates.

Bulfa was with his uncle and 15 of his friends during the boxing event, one of the highlights of the town’s annual fiesta celebration.

“It’s very sad that this happened while everyone was having fun to celebrate our town fiesta,” he added.

The explosion coincided with the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a festival celebrated by Christians commemorating the massacre of the children by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA & VICKY C. ARNAIZ

Tacloban cops step up security, firecracker watch for New Year

TACLOBAN City, Dec. 29 (PNA) -– The city police here is stepping up security measures to ensure peaceful and safety New Year celebration in the regional capital.

Between Dec. 28 to 31, the primary concern of the local police is to prevent crimes especially in crowded places, traffic control, and prohibition of illegal firecrackers ignition during revelries.

City police office spokesperson Sr. Insp. Jessica Ortega said more cops will be deployed at assistant hubs within commercial district.

“This is to prevent would be thieves, robbers, and snatchers from realizing their criminal intention to the public, thus maintaining peace and order in the city.

Ortega said that policemen in administrative duty will be assigned in downtown area to enhance police visibility and monitor compliance with the use of firecrackers.

Banned pyrotechnic devices such as watusi, Goodbye Philippines, five star, super lolo, and unlabeled products with deep explosive ingredients are not allowed for selling to avoid ignitions of firecrackers near establishments, residential areas, and public places, creating disturbance and trigger fire blaze.

“Policemen have been directed to conduct mobile information operation to inspect seller, retailer, and dealers selling such products and be confiscated. Penalties of the said violation will be faced,” Ortega said.

The mobile operation has also entailed licensed gun owners to resist from illegal discharge of firearms in their area and reminded them of possible criminal charges relative to unlawful act and “celebrating New Year with a handcuff.” (PNA)

LAP/SQM/Diane Mae B. Derio (OJT)

Eastern Visayas top cop orders men to step up security measures after Leyte explosion

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) –- The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office has ordered police chiefs in Eastern Visayas to step up security measures to prevent bombing incidents, following the explosion at the town plaza of Hilongos, Leyte that injured 32 people.

On Thursday morning, PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar issued a directive “to initiate appropriate counter measures to preempt or negate any similar incident that might transpire in their respective areas of responsibility.”

“The PNP will remain steadfast in performing its mandated tasks to ensure the safety of the people who live and sojourn in the region, free from threats and harm,” Beltejar said in a statement.

The police official condemned the explosion incident that injured 32 people, based on official reports. There were about 500 people packed at the town plaza to watch an amateur boxing bout on Wednesday night when an improvised explosive device went off around 9:30 p.m.

The boxing event is part of the town’s annual fiesta celebration.

“The PNP will also continue to exert all its efforts to bring other perpetrators of crimes to justice and will hold them responsible for their criminal acts,” Beltejar added.

Out of 32 victims, 16 were already treated while 16 are still recuperating in different hospitals – six at Hilongos District Hospital; five at Hilongos Baptist Hospital, two at Living Hope Hospital in Maasin City, and three at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in this city. (PNA)
LAP/SQM

BFP on alert for Tacloban New Year revelries

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) -– The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) office here will set its code red alert status from Dec. 30, 2016 to Jan 1, 2017, as part of the fire safety measure for the New Year revelries.

The BFP’s code red status entails heightened fire alertness wherein all of their personnel are on-call during these days.

“Because of last year’s fire incidences here in Tacloban, we intensified our fire safety movements for this coming New Year to prevent possible blaze,” said fire officer Jeremie R. Villarin, chief of the BFP Tacloban public information services.

The local BFP office launched the “Oplan Iwas Paputok.” It is a campaign against use of firecrackers through information dissemination, distribution of fire safety materials like flyers, leaflets and posters to different villages in the city.

Priorities are communities with large population living in makeshift houses.

This campaign also includes fire truck visibility and public address about safety tips and measures regarding the use of fire crackers.

“We are really advocating to the public about the use of authorized firecracker products only. Of course, it would be so much better if we will not use firecrackers at all. We can have other safer means of celebrating New Year,”Villarin added.

BFP has been conducting fire safety inspections of fireworks manufacturing plants, display centers, identified high-risk buildings, and transportation facilities like airports and bus terminals. LAP/SQM/Maria Eden Mae T. Terceño (OJT)

Leyte blast victims cry for justice

HILONGOS, Leyte, Dec. 29 (PNA) -- It was supposed to be night of fun for townsfolk here, but it turned out to be a nightmare after an improvised explosive device went off Wednesday night, wounding them.

The 32 blast victims on Thursday called for swift justice over what happened to them.
Joseph Bryan Bohol, 24, said that it was his first time to watch a boxing match at the town plaza. He was standing near the water tank where one of the improvised explosive devices was set up by suspects.

“Everything turned dark after the blast. I ran elsewhere for safety, but another bomb exploded. I was frightened and called for help,” said Bohol, who suffered wounds on his right leg, back and right hips.

He was with his fellow construction worker from nearby Matalom town when he went to the town plaza. He is still clueless of what happened to his friend.

Traumatized by this experience, Bohol, a father of three, promised that will never watch a boxing fight in his hometown again.

John Rey Lamo, 15, sustained wounds on his arms and legs. A boxer himself, Lamo went to the plaza to watch the event.

He was also standing near the water tank where the bomb was detonated. He also witnessed the second explosion in less than a minute.

“Put them on jail because we want justice,” Lamo said, referring to the blast suspects.

Sarah Nemis, whose daughter Mary Grace, 12 was also hit by shrapnel from explosive device, also cries for justice.

“I hope that police arrest them so they could pay for what they did to my daughter and other victims.

 They should also feel what we are feeling right now,” she said. The three victims are now confined at the Hilongos District Hospital.

The police have been reviewing the recorded CCTV footage for possible identification of the suspects. Follow up investigation is still ongoing.

Hilongos town is about 152 kilometers south of Tacloban City, the regional capital. It is a second class town in Leyte with regular daily ferry trips to Cebu and Bohol. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

(Update) 34 hurt in Leyte town plaza blast

HILONGOS, Leyte, Dec. 29 (PNA) -- At least 34 persons watching an amateur boxing bout were injured in an explosion at the town plaza here Wednesday night.

Leyte police provincial director Supt. Franco Simborio said it was already fourth boxing bout when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded around 9 p.m. at a crowded plaza.

The plaza packed with about 500 audience, was just across the municipal hall and local police station. The boxing event is part of the town’s fiesta celebration.

Simborio believed that the bombing could be an act of retaliation from an arrested drug suspect.

The police official disclosed that an improvised 81 mm mortar was used in the second explosion, but was in "low order" or did not completely explode.

“The two bombs used had a strong magnitude that may have killed a lot of people when exploded at the same time,” said Simborio, who was at the crime scene few hours after the incident.

Mayor Alberto Villahermosa recalled in a phone interview that the second bomb exploded 30 seconds after the first blast.

“We didn’t expect this. There was no bomb threat prior to this incident. We were caught by surprise when this happened since we are a peace loving town,” Villahermosa said.The mayor also believed that this could be retaliation of their campaign against criminality, resulting to the arrest of Muslims involved in car theft, illegal drugs and production of fake money.

“I’m not blaming Muslim residents in our town as suspect in the bombing, but we’re looking at all possibilities,” the mayor added.

Initially, 34 were injured. Most of them have been confined at the Hilongos District Hospital and Leyte Baptist Hospital.

At least four victims were referred to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City and one to the Living Hope Hospital in Maasin City in Southern Leyte. Most of the victims suffered foot injuries

At least 46 Department of Health doctors and medical volunteers from nearby towns rushed to this town to assist the victims.

Antonina Ruiz Dapile, local chief doctor said the 25-bed capacity Hilongos District Hospital has accommodated 40 patients after the blast.

Among the victims is Domingo Liba, 60 who said that he must have been dead had the second bomb exploded. Following the first blast, he carried his wounded son who suffered left leg bone injury. The son is now at EVRMC.

Four of his family members – three children and a grandchild - were wounded.

Also hurt was Jesyl Managbanag, 26 who is five-month pregnant and is being treated at the local hospital due to minor injuries. Her baby is already safe.

The police have been reviewing the recorded CCTV footage for possible identification of the suspects. Follow up investigation is still ongoing.

Hilongos town is about 152 kilometers south of Tacloban City, the regional capital. It is a second class town in Leyte with regular daily ferry trips to Cebu and Bohol. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/ELVIE ROMAN ROA & ROEL T. AMAZONA

Solon says infra dev’t key to faster economic growth in S. Leyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- A lawmaker in this province has tagged infrastructure development of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as major driver in the reduction of poverty incidence in the province over the past decade.

Speaking before hundreds of employees of the DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) on Tuesday night, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado noted that the province won’t achieve its status as economically stable in Eastern Visayas without good roads and bridges.

“Nobody can outrank the outstanding performance of DPWH in terms of cutting poverty in the province over the past years,” Mercado said.

With a poverty incidence of 30.4 percent based on the 2015 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Southern Leyte is the second province in the region, next to Biliran, with lowest poverty incidence among six provinces.

Poverty incidence dipped by six percent from 36.4 percent in 2012, according to official reports.

“It is because of good and beautiful highways and farm-to-market roads in Southern Leyte. These really complemented our thrust in tourism and agriculture development,” Mercado added.

The solon lauded the hard work of DPWH-SLDEO employees as they work overtime to complete all pre-construction activities and ensure timely completion of projects.

“I am a witness of your performance. The district engineer worked hard to get funds for the district. Let us sustain our efforts because we have big expectations for 2017 with more programs and projects coming,” he added.

The official also cited the contribution of farm-to-market roads under the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Program. Some of these projects are being implemented by the DPWH.

As of end of November 2016, the SLDEO posted 94.98 percent with the full completion of 77 out of 84 regular infrastructure projects worth PHP1 billion for the entire year.

In 2017, the approved budget is PHP1.74 billion or nearly double than its current outlay. The district will also implement five major projects following the approval of special authority by the central office.

“Our district office has been closely coordinating with the office of Congressman Roger Mercado to fast track projects in line with the national government’s thrusts and local needs,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.

The SLDEO is tasked to maintain 298.93 kilometers of national roads and 153 bridges, built in 18 towns and Maasin City, the provincial capital. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/PR/EGR

Relief hub, evacuation center to rise in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- A disaster response hub and evacuation center will rise in Allen, Northern Samar to enhance post-disaster assistance in Samar Island and ease the suffering of Luzon-bound passengers during rough seas.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held a groundbreaking ceremony early this month for the PHP60 million hub near the transport terminal of Allen town, the region’s entry and exit point from and to Luzon.

“After the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, there was no other way except to go through Allen to transport relief goods because Tacloban airport was not functional. The town is really a vital conduit for the region’s relief operations and response mechanisms after a disaster,” said Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Edgar Posadas.

Next to the relief hub is a two-storey evacuation center meant for stranded passengers of Allen ports during weather disturbances. Both structures, which are up for completion next year, will rise “side by side” in a one hectare lot owned by the local government.

Once finished, the PHP36 million evacuation center will be a shelter to about 300 individuals during disasters. The project is being funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“It will not only serve locals, but also passengers who are stranded every now and then.

Furthermore, we hope that next year we can ease up our problem a little,” Posadas added.

During the onslaught of typhoon Nina this week, nearly 2,000 passengers were stranded in Allen ports, forcing them to spend Christmas within the port complex.

Allen is known for being an important port for inter-island transport, specifically between Samar Island and Sorsogon province in Luzon Island.

Ferries cross the San Bernardino Strait, transporting passengers and vehicles to and from Allen port and Matnog port in Sorsogon. Average travel time is two hours.

Buses from the various provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao bound for Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon pass through Allen. (PNA)

JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano with Robert S. Bona (OJT)

DTI allocates PHP4.4 million for Tacloban relocation sites livelihood

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is setting aside PHP4.4 million for livelihood support to families moved to the city’s northern resettlement sites.

The assistance is listed as one of the DTI’s bottom up budgeting project for the city, said Faustino Gayas, Jr., DTI-Leyte chief of business development commission.

About half of the budget will finance the establishment of as search service facility meant to enhance food processing in relocation areas.

The facility will support local delicacies production, sewing jobs, car wash services and other in demand products and services.

“The remaining PHP2.4 million will then be allotted to our Yaman Pinoy project, which will focus also in enhancing the food processing, packaging and labeling,” Gayas added.

Yaman Pinoy is the trade department’s skills enhancement program for the jobless. For this city, specific activities are livelihood and entrepreneurial development trainings and provision of livelihood kits.

“These kits will be emanated from the business plans that they will make. We don’t know yet as to how many because the beneficiaries who will enrol, will be the one to determine it,” Gayas said.

The project will be carried out next year to support the Tacloban north integrated development plan. (PNA)

lam/SQM/Maria Eden Mae T. Terceño (OJT)

DOLE sets livelihood programs for Tacloban ‘Yolanda’ housing families

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has outlined activities to assist families in this city’s relocation sites next year.

Initially, the labor department had released PHP2.3 million from its 2016 outlay for livelihood assistance of relocated families until early 2017.

Emilia Cruz, Tacloban Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager, said this is the DOLE’s first commitment to assist relocated families as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to the city on Nov. 8 this year.

“There is a PHP20 million budget for benfeciaries for the entire city, but our priority now is the northern relocation sites because of lack of job opportunities in the new township,”,Cruz said.

Another DOLE’s commitment is to hire 170 workers for the Special Program for Employment of the Students from resettlement areas, which will be carried out in summer next year.

The DOLE will also conduct skills registration in preparation for series of employment fairs intended for jobless family members.

The registration aims to determine skills of each person of working age in and match them with local jobs available.

As of last week, the government has moved more than 3,624 families to their new homes in the northern part of the city, away from coastal communities where they settled for decades before super typhoon Yolanda pummeled the city in 2013. (PNA) 

LAP/SQM/Lalaine S. Badilla (OJT)

Creation of local youth councils pushed

PALO, Leyte, Dec. 27 (PNA) –- The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) is pushing for wider participation of youth sector in local governance.

Christian Lauzon, RDC private sector representative, proposed a resolution for the establishment of Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) in each city or municipal local government.

“This could be a starting point while waiting for the barangay (village) and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) election to start implementing youth program and services,” Lauzon stated.

SK is the youth council for each village in the Philippines. In the fourth quarter next year, voters will elect youth leaders.

Under Republic Act 10742 known as the country’s SK reform law, the creation of the LYDC is mandated to ensure wide and multi-sectoral participation of youth in each respective local government. This is also a training ground of the youth in nation-building and becoming better citizens.

Lauzon recalled that the establishment of LYDC is mandated in a joint memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Youth Commission (NYC). The memorandum directs local governments to allocate funds for for the operation and effective functioning of the youth council.

LYDC is supposed to be headed by the SK federation president, but since there was a postponement of village polls this year, the establishment of the council would help local governments familiarize with the new reform law. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/ Diane Mae B. Derio (OJT)

(YEARENDER) President Duterte’s tough talk speeds up resettlement of ‘Yolanda’ survivors in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) –- President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to urgently address bottlenecks in the relocation of families severely affected by the 2013 super typhoon in this city, has yielded good results in nearly two months.

The number of relocated families has drastically increased to 3,624 as of December 20, more than double the 1,564 families relocated to the northern part of the city before the President’s directive.

City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez noted that the President’s order on November 8 has compelled all concerned national government agencies to extend assistance in the relocation of thousands of families.

“The President is so focused and dedicated and it really pushed the speedy transfer of families from danger zones to permanent relocation sites in the north,” Romualdez told reporters.

The Philippine Army’s engineering brigade has been providing trucking services to beneficiaries of housing projects using military vehicles.

Water has been regularly provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways and Leyte Metropolitan Water District pending the completion of medium term and long-term water supply projects.

The Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment have lined up activities to generate livelihood activities of relocated families.

Two weeks ago, the Leyte II Electric Cooperative completed power connections to transmission lines near permanent houses.

The National Housing Authority reported that 3,624 housing units built by both government and private sector have been turned over to beneficiaries from the city’s coastal communities. The target is to build houses for 14,433 families in 19 northern relocation sites.

President Duterte had expressed disappointment over the slow pace of relocation efforts three years after the monster typhoon’s powerful winds and storm surges decimated the city.

“I am not satisfied. In three years, only few families were transferred to their permanent houses.

The national offices, the respective departments, they’re only given one month to process the paper and it must be out. I will be coming up with rules that bind everybody, including government corporations,” said Duterte, eliciting applause from the crowd.

The Chief Executive directed Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to closely monitor housing projects and ensure that electricity and water supply would be provided.

Dino also sent three Ceres Liner buses to Tacloban to help in the relocation of survivors. The buses have been used to shuttle the students and those working at the city center from their homes northern resettlement sites to the city for the next six months. This is a stop-gap solution until new public vehicles be established in the relocation sites.

Recently, Malacañang appointed Presidential Assistant Wendel Avisado to oversee the ongoing implementation of housing projects for Yolanda survivors.

The city government is putting up a satellite office in the north, some 13 kilometers from commercial centers, to provide much needed government services to the resettled communities.

The local government also started a weekly market day in the area to spur economic activities and make available basic goods and commodities.

On Nov. 8, 2013, super typhoon Yolanda unleashed its wrath in central Philippines, killing around 6,300 people and leaving more than 4.4 million people displaced and homeless. The city, the regional hub of Eastern Visayas region, was considered as Yolanda’s ground zero. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO