Aquino orders creation of one-stop-shop for ‘Yolanda’ resettlement projects

MANILA, Philippines — Almost a year after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated the country, President Benigno Aquino III issued an administrative order creating a “one-stop-shop” for resettlement projects.

Administrative Order no. 44 or “Streamlining the process of issuance of permits, certifications, clearances and licenses for housing and resettlement projects in Yolanda-affected areas, directing all government agencies concerned to observe the same and imposing sanctions for non-compliance” was approved by Aquino on October 28, 2014, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Tuesday.

SUPERTYPHOON “Yolanda” has turned a paradise into a wasteland after strong winds ravaged “Little Boracay,” the island-village of Olotayan in Roxas City, Capiz province. MARICAR CINCO/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

Coloma said the order was presented before a Cabinet meeting on Monday on the implementation of the Yolanda Comprehensive Recover and Rehabilitation Plan, which was recently signed by the President.

“The issuance of the AO is part of government’s efforts to streamline, coordinate and fast track the processes and requirements for the completion of permanent housing units of more than 200,000 affected families living in hazard-prone and unsafe areas,” he explained.

It is based on the government’s “build-back-better” campaign and will be led by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Coloma said the streamlining will reduce the required steps in securing clearances, licenses and permits, cutting down the processing time from a month to only two weeks.

The order also included a breakdown of the timeline, giving some agencies only two days to issue a corresponding permit or clearance. However, other units are allotted 10 to 30 days.

Under the law, all socialized housing and resettlement projects are exempt from required fees and charges for the issuance of clearances, certifications, permits or licenses, except for the documentary stamp tax.

The AO defines the “provision of safe shelter” as a basic human need.

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