P1.6-B agri-fishery ‘Yolanda’ funds unspent in E. Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 1 -- At least PHP1.6 billion meant for the recovery of agriculture and fishery sectors ravaged by the 2013 super typhoon in Eastern Visayas remained unspent, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday.

Of the PHP3.6 billion Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery program for agri-fishery sector, only PHP2 billion worth of projects have been obligated as of Nov. 15, 2017.

Citing feedbacks from field offices, DA Regional Executive Director Salvador Diputado said in a statement that lack of technical expertise among local government units has caused the delay in the project implementation.

The DA regional office has announced the deployment of seven project development officers tasked to assist the local governments in completing all needed documentary requirements for the immediate transfer of post-disaster recovery funds.

“We are very optimistic that our deployed personnel could really help and make a big difference. 

Their primordial role is to avert any possibility for the remaining funds to be diverted to Marawi City, which is also in dire need of financial help from the national government,” Diputado said.

Specifically, deployed personnel will validate and review submitted documents, supervise the funded projects and check the submission of monthly monitoring and accomplishment reports.

Diputado asked mayors and other local government officials to extend any possible assistance such as temporary accommodation, food and even vehicle for them to be able to efficiently perform their tasks.

Super typhoon Yolanda is the deadliest typhoon in the Philippines on record, killing at least 6,300 people and displaced more than a million of the population in central part of the country when it made landfall on Nov. 8, 2013.

In the badly-hit Eastern Visayas region, a total of 361,985 hectares of agricultural lands had been affected and a conservative estimate of 242,258 metric tons of crops had been lost.

Principally damaged crops were coconut, rice, banana, and abaca. In addition, losses were reported for livestock, agricultural equipment, post-production facilities and fishing vessels and equipment, as well as damage to irrigation systems and rural infrastructure.

Fisheries have been heavily damaged, resulting in lower fish catches due to the impact of the typhoon on boats, wharves and equipment, and to reefs and coastal mangrove forests.

Citing the post-disaster assessment, the National Economic Development Authority said the overall recovery and reconstruction needs for the agriculture sector are estimated at PHP17.36 billion.

Some of these recovery needs have been funded by attached agencies of the agriculture department and non-government organizations. (SQM/PNA)