JV wants update on relief efforts

SENATOR Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito will file a resolution asking for updates on typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation efforts, including those in Cebu.

Ejercito said he has the right to know after he gave P200 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to rehabilitation efforts.

He said there is also a pending bill in his committee that will convert all idle government-owned lots into socialized housing sites.

Ejercito was the guest speaker in the 23rd National Developers Convention of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) Inc., in partnership with Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), in Cebu City.

In a press conference, Ejercito expressed sur- prise over the delay in the government’s rehabilitation efforts almost a year after typhoon Yolanda hit northern Cebu.

“It may just be a simple delay in implementation for us in the offices in Manila. But for the people who are victims of Yolanda here, every day is a battle for survival, a battle against uncertainty,” he said.

Ejercito announced yesterday that he will file a resolution asking for an update. This will investigate the status of the government’s rehabilitation efforts.

“If you’d look at it, wala pa daw 10 percent, 20 percent ang progress ng rehabilitation,” said Ejercito.

In his first term, instead of him giving up his P200-million PDAF when it became controversial, Ejercito said he gave it to the rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda affected areas.

“Siguro naman I have a right to know how they spent the P200 million,” he said.

( Sun.Star has yet to verify how the senator gave part of his PDAF to Yolanda rehabilitation efforts, after the Supreme Court declared the PDAF unconstitutional late last year.)

On the pending bill for socialized housing, he said those affected by calamities can be prioritized.

He said they plan to hold a joint session to discuss the bill, which is sponsored by Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez.

“We want the victims in northern Cebu and Bantayan Island to be back on their feet right away, as soon as possible,” Ejercito said.