‘Yolanda’ shelter to be upsized

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday said it will adjust the sizes of the bunkhouses in typhoon-ravaged Visayas to conform to acceptable international standards.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, in a statement, said families with more than four members may occupy two adjacent units to address space constraint and improve their living condition.

“It’s so easy to dismantle the partition between two units so that each family can occupy a wider area of 17.28 square meters,” said Singson.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has the option to allow families with more than four members to use two adjacent units.

The bunkhouses constructed in identified sites by concerned local government units comprised of 24 units for the same number of families.

But some international observers noted that the allocated area should have been wider than the designed 8.64 sq m per unit.

Singson said no other changes in the materials used for the shelters will be made, but there will be adjustment in the cost of the temporary houses.

“Yes, cost will also be adjusted downwards, which we are finalizing,” he said in a text message to the Inquirer.

An international shelter group earlier reported that the bunkhouses being developed by the DPWH did not comply with internationally recognized standards and best practices.

Camp Coordination and Camp Management has noted the cramped spaces, lack of ventilation, risk of fires, and the safety and security of occupants.

Singson earlier denied suggestions of overpricing, stressing that the bunkhouses had not been turned over and private contractors would not be paid if the DPWH specifications were not followed.

“If found that materials used were substandard and unless contractors make appropriate corrections, the government will not pay any amount and it may be better for them to just donate the structure,” added Singson in a separate statement.

The DPWH said that about 87 contractors coming from different parts of the country volunteered to undertake the construction of bunkhouses in 42 sites in Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, informal workers associations in Leyte urged the government to engage with people’s organizations in the planning and implementation of the rehabilitation of areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the face of allegations of overpriced and substandard bunkhouses.

“Aside from the opinions of experts, the participation of the people themselves is vital in the success of the Yolanda rehab plan. Yolanda survivors should not just be passive recipients of aid but active stakeholders in the reconstruction process. We demand transparency and people’s participation,” said Judy Torres, chair of the Tacloban City tricycle federation and coordinator of Partido ng Manggagawa in Region VIII.

“People’s organizations can also serve as watchdogs against graft and corruption in the rehab process. Even more than the problem of temporary shelter, the input of the people is crucial in the issue of permanent housing. We insist on in-city relocation and a climate-resilient socialized housing program for informal settlers,” he said.

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First posted 1:29 am | Saturday, January 11th, 2014