CEBU CITY – While it will continue distributing relief aid, the provincial government will start focusing on rebuilding efforts to help typhoon victims build back their damaged homes.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Monday, Dec. 27, said the province will be allocating funds intended for the rebuilding program.
Garcia said P10 million will be given to each of the 17 provincial board members.
A separate P5 to P10 million will be given to the mayors of the 36 localities that sustained significant damages during the typhoon, the governor added.
Garcia said each household will be given coupons that will be used in buying construction materials from accredited suppliers.
A price cap for housing materials will be imposed once the rebuilding program starts.
Garcia will be meeting with suppliers of construction materials to discuss the enforcement of price cap.
"I will appeal to the suppliers to cooperate. There will be a price cap, they can sell at a lower price but not above the price cap," Garcia said.
The governor said that the province's rebuilding efforts "is like hitting two birds with one stone" as it will not only help the typhoon victims but will also help spur economic activity.
Garcia said the province's disaster fund is diminishing but it still has enough budget for the rebuilding efforts.
"There is an allocated item: the assistance to local government units and the aid to barangays. It's a big amount and that's what we will be using," Garcia said.
Garcia disclosed that the Office of the President has also downloaded P14.1 to the provincial treasurer's office.
While funds are needed to help typhoon victims, the governor emphasized that it will not demand financial assistance from the national government.
"We will not demand because we know how big the damage was. We will work on our own. Whatever help the national government can give, we will be grateful but we will not demand," said Garcia.