More than seven months after supertyphoon Yolanda hit central Philippines, the government’s rehabilitation master plan is now “taking shape”, an official of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) said.
“We still have to complete the plan but it’s already taking shape. If our recommendations are approved, we can announce our exact moves in the next couple of days,” PARR Undersecretary Danilo Antonio told the press last Friday.
He also said they are considering Cebu as among the model areas for the government’s rehabilitation program.
“Cebu is our benchmark on how to assist other affected areas. We are observant of what Cebu’s doing. We have plenty more to learn from Cebu and Cebu has a lot to offer to speed up reconstruction efforts,” he added.
Antonio was in Cebu last Friday to grace the groundbreaking of a housing project undertaken by the Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and private French sponsors led by the France-Philippines United Action (FPUA).
Multi-hazard maps
Antonio said their master plan takes into account the “new normal” in terms of weather conditions and number of disasters to hit the country.
“We’re forming it up with more science-based maps where we point out which areas are buildable or not, safe or not. We can’t waste resources anymore,” he added.
Their master plan includes multi-hazard maps of storm surges, flooding, liquefactions and earthquakes.
The PARR blamed delays in the master plan to the delayed submission of a final Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Under the law, the PDNA is needed as basis for the final rehabilitation master plan. Antonio said the NDRRMC should have passed the PDNA within a month after the disaster.
Donated lot
He said the commitment of non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sectors makes it easier for PARR to hasten the overall reconstruction and recovery process.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Friday in a 1.3 hectare land in barangay Paypay in Daanbantayan town.
At least 128 houses with multipurpose centers will be built in the property.
The lot was donated by Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro’s sister Elaine Corro.
The US $2 million project was funded by the FPUA, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), French Red Cross and other private French companies and sponsors.
Focus area
“We realized that we would have bigger impact if we pool our resources together through FPUA and choose a focus area and we chose Daanbantayan,” said FCCI President Cyril Rocke.
The Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity will be overseeing the implementation and construction of the housing project which is dubbed as a “French Village.”
Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said the livelihood component of the housing projects will involve 500 household-based livelihood projects, two community-managed projects, and skills development opportunities for selected beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries will also be trained by Red Cross on disaster risk reduction.
“We are not limited to just providing the houses, but will employ a holistic approach in serving the needs of this community. Livelihood is a major component of this project,” Pang said.
“We want to create a culture of disaster preparedness in the communities. A community that helps themselves, relies on themselves and with cooperation. A community that doesn’t rely on doleouts and are able to help themselves,” Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said.
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