‘Yolanda’ survivors twice victimized if overpricing claims true – group

Officer-in-Charge Director Elizabeth P. Pilorin, Stakeholders Relations Services of the Department of Public Works and Highways shows the perspective of the construction of bunkhouses in Tacloban City, Palo, Leyte, Basey and Marabut in Samar as temporary shelter for the families affected by typhoon Yolanda at the agency head office in Manila on Tuesday. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A group of workers from Eastern Visayas on Monday asked the government for transparency in the rehabilitation efforts, saying Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors will be twice victimized if allegations of overpriced bunkhouses were true.

“We are victims of disasters not once but twice. First of climate change-spawned supertyphoon Yolanda and now of the greed-induced calamity of corruption,” claimed Judy Torres, Region 8 coordinator of Partido ng Manggagawa and chairperson of the Tacloban City federation of tricycle drivers and operators.

Torres said the bunkhouses, some of which were being built near his home in Tacloban City, didn’t look like they cost almost a million each.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday reported on the allegations that bunkhouses being built for “Yolanda” evacuees were overpriced. However, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson insisted there was no overpricing, though it was possible that private contractors were not following government specifications.

Singson clarified that the contractors have not been paid yet and will not receive payment if “underspecification” of the bunkhouses were validated.

Each bunkhouse, supposed to accommodate 12 families, costs around P780,000, Singson said. It should include 12 units or rooms for the families, four showers, four toilets and a common cooking area. Each unit measures 17.28 square meters.

Torres said people’s organizations should be allowed to participate in the rehabilitation plan as “watchdogs against graft and corruption.”

“Every cent of the USD 8.17 billion Reconstruction Assistance of Yolanda must be spent to meet the immediate and long-term needs of survivors,” he added.

Singson said he will personally visit Tacloban City on Tuesday to check on the bunkhouses. He also promised to resign if there was indeed overpricing.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson said they are investigating the allegations, including a supposed administration congressman accused of “influencing” the choice of contractors.

At least 500,000 homes were totally damaged during the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” last November 8, leaving many displaced. More than 6,000 people were killed.

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