Source: Reports of line agencies in Feb . 7, 2014 meeting of Task Force Paglig-on at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) appealed to the national government’s rehabilitation task force headed by former senator Panfilo Lacson Jr. to prioritize storm-hit towns in northern Cebu.
The board said northern Cebu has yet to receive substantial funding despite being hard hit by supertyphoon Yolanda last Nov. 8.
The PB resolution said the province also needs “massive and fast-paced rehabilitation and reconstruction operations” similar to the projects conducted by Lacson’s team in Leyte, particularly in Tacloban City and in Samar.
“Many residents in northern Cebu lost their homes and at present are still living with relatives, if not, just coasting along or are getting by with makeshift and flimsy dwellings,” said the board resolution authored by PB Member Joven Mondigo of the 4th district.
Except for those done by private donors, most rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts similar to those done in Leyte and Samar have yet to be duplicated here, it added.
The PB will send a copy of the resolution to Lacson through the office of President Benigno Aquino III.
Small amount
Earlier, Task Force Paglig-on head Baltazar Tribunalo said Cebu province needs to secure more financial assistance from the national government to achieve its rehabilitation plan for Cebu.
So far, national government agencies have undeteraken P3.6 billion in projects for Cebu’s 14 typhoon-stricken towns and Bogo City, a relatively small amount compared to the P26.8 billion needed by the task force to complete its rehab plan.
Damage in Cebu including agriculture, infrastructure, utilities, livelihood and social infrastructure in the province was estimated at P4.14 billion with more than 700,000 houses flattened by Yolanda.
Daanbantayan town was the worst hit with P1.5 billion in damage followed by San Remigio at P632 million and Bogo City at P330 million, based on the province’s damage assessment report.
Other affected municipalities were Bantayan town, Sta. Fe and Madridejos in Bantayan Island, the towns of Pilar, Poro, San Francisco and Tudela in Camotes Island, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod and Medellin.