Bunkhouses. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Public Works and Highways has built another 17 bunkhouses for the survivors of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Visayas, bringing to 239 the total number of temporary shelters put up for the victims of the natural calamity.
The information was relayed to the INQUIRER on Sunday by Rolando Asis, director of the DPWH office in Region 8, which has set Feb. 28 as the date of completion for the 28 additional units of bunkhouses.
The additional units would bring to 250 the total number of temporary shelters, or 6,000 bunkhouses for the typhoon victims in the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar and Western Samar, he noted.
Asis expressed confidence the 11 remaining bunkhouses would be completed by the end of the month.
Each bunkhouse, which consists of 24 units with a common bathroom and kitchen, costs about P836,000.
The temporary shelters are made of corrugated sheets, plywood and coconut lumber. Each unit measures 8.64 square meters.
In a text message, Asis also disclosed that “as of Feb. 21, a total of 231 bunkhouses have been turned over to the (Department of Social Welfare and Development).”
However, “only 70 temporary shelters have been occupied by their recipient families.” The DSWD is distributing the bunkhouses to families in the storm-ravaged communities.
Earlier, the DPWH official explained the construction stage was “hampered by bad weather” in the region.
He blamed “continuous heavy rains brought about by the recent tropical depressions” for the delay in the delivery of construction materials, which had to be brought all the way from Metro Manila, Bicol, Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas.
More than 1.1 million houses were either destroyed or damaged after Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country, ripped through the central Philippines in early November. Over 6,200 people have been confirmed dead due to the weather disturbance.
Last month, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson announced that under the agency’s Permanent Shelter Program, typhoon victims would be given construction materials.
Families whose homes were destroyed will get P30,000 worth of building materials while those whose homes were damaged will get P10,000 worth of materials.
Singson also said priority would be given to families living in coastal areas.
Bunkhouses constructed in various parts of Region 8 have passed the DPWH head’s inspection amid allegations that these temporary shelters are overpriced and made of substandard materials.
Singson found the materials used for the temporary shelters consistent with the specifications set by the department.