President Duterte has extended the term of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring the Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in the Yolanda-affected areas (IATF-Yolanda) until June, 2022 to ensure the completion of the permanent housing program and other components of the government's rehabilitation efforts.
(KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In Administrative Order No. 33, the President directed IATF-Yolanda to complete the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (YCRPP).
The IATF-Yolanda, created by the President in August, 2017, was supposed to have a term of three years or until August 12, 2020. At the time, the President noted the delays in the Yolanda rehabilitation program due to lack of coordination among state agencies.
Under the new order, the President noted that 129,484 housing units have so far been completed. Around 49,112 units are still undergoing construction or at 89.3 percent combined accomplishment rate while 241 of the 363 permanent resettlement projects have been provided with electricity.
The Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP), the order said, aims to "build houses and create livable, thriving, and disaster-resilient communities under a township approach where resettlements shall be provided not only with the basic necessities of water and electricity but also with solid infrastructures such as daycare centers, health centers, and school buildings within or nearby the housing project sites."
“To facilitate the competition of the above projects, as well as the other component programs in the YCRRP, there is a need to extend the term of the IATF-Yolanda,” AO 33 read.
"The IATF-Yolanda shall be deemed dissolved on 30 June, 2022, unless it is sooner terminated by the President," it added.
The President also directed the task force to publish a final accomplishment report, including projects implemented, total budget used, and send a copy to his office.
The order, signed by the President on September 16, took effect immediately. A copy of the order has been posted on the Official Gazette.
The super typhoon Yolanda left a large trail of death and destruction in several areas, including Leyte, Samar, Biliran, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Masbate, Palawan, and Dinagat Islands on November 8, 2013. The Category 5 typhoon was considered as one of the largest and strongest typhoons recorded at landfall.
In AO 5 that formed IATF-Yolanda in 2017, the President said there was a need to establish a body to ensure the efficient coordination among government agencies involved in the Yolanda rehabilitation program. The task force, led by the Cabinet Secretary, is also tasked to consult affected communities and non-government organizations in crafting, implementing, and evaluating programs.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles recently said concerned government agencies have worked "non-stop" alongside local government units to facilitate the turnover of housing units to Yolanda survivors.
"President Duterte has ordered an acceleration in the distribution of these Yolanda Permanent Housing Projects before his term ends. Local and national agencies, as well as stakeholders are all keeping pace and providing safe and quality houses to Yolanda victims," Nograles said.
In July, at least 1,831 completed housing units in Cebu province were formally turned over to beneficiaries. Of the 20,700 housing units, 7,465 have been finished while 9,413 are still being constructed.
According to Nograles, there has also been a turnover of housing projects in Ormoc City (1,419 units), Cabucgayan, Biliran (258 units), Almeria in Biliran (405 units), Tacloban City (4,193 units), Basey, Samar (1,000 units), and Burauen, Leyte (1,000 units).
"Our aim is to provide comprehensive and doable solutions. We will see these programs through and ensure that these communities are rebuilt and made stronger through the efforts of the Duterte administration," Nograles said.