Eastern Visayas welcomes diversion of ‘Yolanda’ funds for Marawi rehab

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 3  – The plan to divert some unspent super typhoon Yolanda funds for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City has received positive response from the Regional Development Council (RDC) and disaster survivors in this city.

Tacloban Mayor Cristina Romualdez, RDC chairperson, said Marawi badly needs budget to rebuild the city after five months of fighting between government troops and terrorists.

“The trail of destruction in Marawi brings back the memories of Yolanda. It happened to us and it’s time to share our blessings to others. They badly need our help since they are our brothers and sisters,” Romualdez told reporters on Friday.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said there’s no official pronouncement of fund diversion.

“What we heard from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council is that the unspent Yolanda funds will be used for Marawi, but it will be returned once the budget is available,” Uy said in a text message.

Construction worker Charlito Concepcion, 54, who is now living in a resettlement site in San Isidro village, said, "As one nation, we must help our fellow Filipinos who are in desperate need. Since super typhoon Yolanda struck, a lot of people rescued and helped us”.

Housewife Claire Yano, 31, said Marawi residents deserve all kinds of help since they lost almost everything.

“Since we are already settled in a permanent shelter, there are other people in Marawi who deserves more attention from the government,” Yano added.

The NEDA regional office here reported that the central government has already released PHP32.19 billion for post-Yolanda rehabilitation. Of the total, approximately 65 percent or PHP20.94 billion had already been disbursed to implementing agencies.

Total funds released for the ongoing project of the resettlement cluster was the highest at around PHP14.42 billion, followed by social services (PHP9.20 billion), infrastructure (PHP6.02) and livelihood (PHP2.55 billion).

Super typhoon Yolanda, said to be the strongest typhoon in world history, struck central Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013 and wrought havoc to 175 cities and municipalities in 14 provinces in six regions.

Total cost of damage and losses in Yolanda-affected areas reached PHP101.79 billion, of which PHP48. 79 billion was accounted for by Eastern Visayas. (with report from Mikaela Angelica A. Ramirez & Ali Krause P. Gamana, OJT/PNA)