Use unspent ‘Yolanda’ funds, says prelate

TACLOBAN CITY—Leyte Archbishop John Du has called on the national government to release the reported unspent funds meant for the rehabilitation of areas stricken by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).

“Speaking earnestly on behalf of the many suffering poor, I cannot fail to make an appeal to our government leaders. If it is true that there are still unspent monies, which are intended for rehabilitation projects, please do what justice demands,” Du said.

The prelate spoke in his homily during Sunday’s Mass to commemorate the second anniversary of Yolanda, which was held in a mass grave in Barangay San Joaquin in Palo town.

Du said delaying the rehabilitation projects that could lead to the recovery of the affected areas and their people was like committing an injustice to them.

“Also, when there is a pressing demand to act for the common good of our people, your duty is not your political party or your personal preferences, but to your sovereign public,” the head of the Archdiocese of Palo said.

Earlier reports said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had yet to spend P10.28 billion in rehabilitation funds as of September. Another P4.458 billion in quick response funds allocated to different agencies have also remained idle.

In his homily, Du particularly cited the need for shelter of families who totally lost their houses due to Yolanda.

“I pray we prioritize our shelter and housing programs. We should be concerned of building homes, where families enjoy comfort, take rest and live daily,” he said.

In Tacloban, considered the ground zero of the world’s strongest typhoon to made landfall, only 572 of the 13,062 permanent houses committed by the National Housing Authority have been completed. Only 80 of the finished houses are occupied.

Du cited organizations and individuals who had extended assistance to the typhoon survivors.

“(And) last January 2015, we had no less than Pope Francis coming right here in Leyte, in the archdiocese of Palo. He even wrote a landmark encyclical on the care of our common home,” he said.