Iloilo Yolanda rehabilitation fund increases to 23Billion But non-coordination by the OPPAR irks governor

ILOILO – From 17 billion, Iloilo may get be getting a much bigger amount, that is, 23 billion funding from the national government for the province’s overall efforts to fully recover from the ravage wrought by super typhoon Yolanda which struck this province, among others, last November 8, 2013.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., however, is expressing dismay about what he says is the lack of coordination by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR).

“I don’t know where this money will go,” an irked Defensor said during the February 9 meeting with OPARR officials in Iloilo City.

Defensor also clarified that the billion increase is only a proposal.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean the money is already there,” Defensor emphasized.

Last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III announced that the national government had approved a Yolanda rehabilitation fund for Iloilo province. However, it is unsure as to how much has been released for Iloilo.

Defensor maintains that typhoon survivors in Northern Iloilo continue to wonder when financial aid will be given to them for the repair of their

6- houses that were either totally or partially damaged by Yolanda.

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, meanwhile, said the additional 6 billion is for the proposed resettlement housing for Yolanda survivors.

Based on earlier data, there are a total of 129,081 houses partially and totally damaged by Yolanda.

Banias added the private sector has also provided housing for Yolanda survivors.

Last June, 2013, the first batch of Yolanda survivors transferred from Sicogon Island of Carles town to Estancia town. Property developer Ayala Land Inc. provided a 100-million housing project for them, as part of the major property developer’s plan to revive tourism in Sicogon.

Mall developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. is also currently constructing 200 housing units for Yolanda survivors in the Northern Iloilo town of Concepcion.

Humanitarian organizations like Philippine Red Cross, World Vision Philippines, Save the Children Philippines, and its international counterparts have also contributed in helping Yolanda survivors rebuild their houses.

Meanwhile, an OPARR- organized forum in Iloilo City also tackled Yolanda rehabilitation updates for Negros Occidental province.