ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Three years after Yolanda rehabilitation programs for the survivors in Iloilo still continue with the assistance provided by the local government units and other partners.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor said almost all the fishermen who lost their means of livelihood are now able to return to normal income-generating activities. Defensor said the province is set to deliver 181 motor engines for fishing boats of typhoon victims in Estancia and Carles in northern Iloilo.
The National Economic and Development Authority said that the rehabilitation programs are in place even if there is only about 67 percent accomplishment in the resettlement aspect. Defensor also said that there are delays in the housing projects of the national government.
“We can’t blame government in this because it is not easy to acquire lots for the resettlement projects,” he added. Juby Pamonag, NEDA-6 senior economic development specialist, said there is fund for the acquisition of lots, but it is the lack of lots to purchase that hampers the fast implementation.
“The local governments are also ready, but there are the agrarian reform issues they have to deal with,” Pamonag said during a television interview. Meanwhile, Governor Defensor said that since the provincial government cannot provide all the needed assistance, the aid from foreign sources had helped much.
He added that billions of pesos have been poured in by countries like the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Australia, France, South Korea, the United Nations and the United States.
On the other hand NEDA also said that besides the rehabilitation programs, assistance and local initiatives, an important lesson that Yolanda taught, especially to local government units is the need to formulate disaster prepared and management plans and to give it priority among others.
Rehab for Yolanda survivors continues
