Palace: Limited lands, permits delay houses for ‘Yolanda’ victims

Fallen tree branches and electric poles block a road leading to the municipal hall of Daanbantayan in northern Cebu in this November 2013 photo.
/CDN file photo

The completion of housing projects in areas hit by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) might take “a little time,” but Malacañang assured the victims that “government is doing its best” to address the issue.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said “there are certain constraints” that hamper the completion of the housing projects.

Of the 205,128 permanent housing units for Yolanda victims, only 100,709 units were completed by October 30, 2018, according to Panelo citing National Housing Authority (NHA) data.

He added that 46,412 units have already been occupied while 54,297 units were deemed ready for occupancy.

Asked about the target date of completion, Panelo said in a Palace briefing: “Hopefully within the year or two years” as the government was in the process of tackling those “certain constraints.”

“To speed up resettlement, we are addressing issues that cause the delay, which include limited availability of titled lands for resettlement, slow processing and issuance of permits and licenses for construction projects and absence of sustainable livelihood opportunities, among others,” he noted.

“So it takes a little time. But certainly the government is doing its best,” he added.

In a statement, Malacañang called for the passage of disaster resilience measures.

“We likewise take this opportunity to spread better awareness on climate change and its impact on our communities. There is no perfect time to push for better disaster resilience measures than now,” Panelo said.

In July 2018, the Palace transmitted to Congress a bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Panelo said the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Welfare and Development “are now drafting a joint order to create a one-stop shop facility for relief consignment, similar to the proposal of Senator Sonny Angara.”

“Let us continue to join hands to reduce the risks of climate change in the country and attain a more adaptive and disaster-resilient Philippines,” Panelo said.

The Philippines is commemorating on November 8 the fifth anniversary of Yolanda, so far the deadliest typhoon to hit land.