Abad: P32B now released for ‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation

TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION A general shot shows houses destroyed by the strong winds caused by Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The rehabilitation of communities devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda last November remains a top priority of the Aquino administration, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said on Thursday.

Abad said P32.2 billion in relief funds had been released as of May 15.

The funds were released to several government agencies in charge of various postdisaster relief and reconstruction programs in the communities devastated by Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), Abad said.

“The President was very clear about the administration’s goal of restoring normalcy in Yolanda-stricken communities. The delivery of aid services and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure continue to be a priority for the government,” Abad said.

“With more releases on the way, agencies involved should be able to move quickly to help affected communities recover from the disaster,” he added.

Abad said President Aquino approved the funding of critical projects under the first phase of the government’s reconstruction and assistance program.

The fund releases include P5.4 billion for the National Electrification Administration’s distribution and transmission facilities to restore power in typhoon-hit areas, as well as P2.2 billion for the National Housing Association’s housing programs.

Recently approved fund releases include P2.01 billion for the Department of the Interior and Local Government for municipal halls, public markets, civic centers and police stations damaged by Yolanda.

“Immediately after Yolanda swept through the country, the [Department of Budget and Management] moved as fast as it could to secure the Office of the President’s approval for releases that could support our most urgent aid requirements,” Abad said.

“One major challenge in delivering aid to [the victims of] Yolanda was the fact that affected communities were left with little to no electricity. That was one of the first things we sought to remedy,” he added.

Calamity funds under the General Appropriations Act for 2012 and 2013 helped support releases to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the augmentation of Quick Relief Funds by P1.07 billion. The money was used to fund relief operations in communities ravaged by Yolanda.

Originally posted at 8:52 pm | Thursday, May 22, 2014

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