Today is the 3rd anniversary of the tragedies caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is releasing this 3rd report on its investigations on its own `Yolanda’ efforts.
DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, speaking today to `Yolanda’ survivors in Tacloban and addressing other survivors in other regions severely hit by `Yolanda’, said that they are releasing their initial findings in response to the clamor of Filipinos for an explanation as to where all the donations and government disaster funds went.
“We want to inform the Filipino people, the international community and most particularly the `Yolanda’ survivors regarding the `Yolanda’ funds and how they have been utilized. Most of the funds were alloted for Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), but even now thousands of `Yolanda’ survivors and their families have yet to receive a single peso. In the meantime, a shocking 62% of all DSWD core shelters have yet to be built,” she said.
“I have already made all these findings known to President Rodrigo Duterte, as well as informed him of the demands of `Yolanda’ survivors for justice and accountability. He has declared his preparedness to address these issues, and said that he is not indifferent to the plight of the poor in Tacloban and the other provinces devastated by `Yolanda’,” the Secretary continued.
Cash Donations to DSWD
From No. 11, 2013 to June 30, 2016, DSWD received Php1,165,797,345.13 from local and international donations.
Local donations ranged from the lowest at Php 75.65 (received on Dec. 3, 2013 from Sagip Bata – Labok) up to a maximum of Php 25M (received Nov. 16, 2013 from Hyundai Asia Resources Inc.)
Donations in foreign currency ranged from USD 1 (received on Nov. 21, 2013 from Angat Kabataan para sa Bayan of San Rafael, Bulacan) to USD 10M (received Nov. 26, 2013 from the Ministry of Finance Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);
Other nations sent donations, such as the following: Malaysia (USD 1M); Pakistan (USD 1M); Indonesia (USD988,821.62); Republic of the Union of Myanmar (USD 100,000.00); Australia (USD 450,670); Nigeria (Php 14,005,405.13);
By the end of June 2016, expenses from the donations reached Php 1,137,244,374.06. On August 11, 2016, Field Office V returned Php 6,613,669.35. Hence, by the end of August 2016, total expenses reached Php 1,130,630,704.71. The remaining balance from donations is Php 35,166,640.42.
ADB Grant for Construction of Core Shelters: (from DREeAMB report)
Here are findings from some of the projects funded for cash donations and from ADB:
a. The contractor for the boat garage has billed the LGU of Guiuan, Eastern Samar for 85% completion. But on actual site visit, the construction is less than 20% completed based on plan.
b. The original location of core shelter project of LGU Guiuan, Eastern Samar did not materialize. Instead, during data-gathering, it was found that the LGU was demolishing some of the transition homes in Brgy. Cogon in preparation for the construction of the core shelters. These transition homes were constructed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) using DSWD funds.
c. IOM was awarded P189M for the construction of 2,480 transition shelters (TS) at P76,210 per unit in Leyte, Eastern and Western Samar covering the project duration from August 1, 2014 to December 2015.
As of the September 2016 validation, they have been able to construct 770 TS and 640 Timber Houses (total of 1,410 units, 57% of the original target) for a total cost of P201M (additional 6.35% from the original budget). The balance of P12M was taken from Foreign Grants fund of ADB paid to IOM on June 20, 2016. Cost of the 770 transition shelters was P76,210.00 per unit and the cost of the 640 timber homes was P222,372.34 per unit of the shelters.
More on IOM Shelter
The IOM was given the project to construct transitional shelters for `Yolanda’ survivors in Leyte, Eastern and Western Samar. The amount released was P121,000,000.00/P12,000,000.00 and these were released on September 8, 2015 and June 28, 2016. The total project cost was P201 million, and the project duration was from August 1, 2014 to December 2015.
1) The IOM did a major change in the number of units it was supposed to construct and design without the DSWD’s proper evaluation. It converted 1,709 temporary shelters (TS) to 640 timber houses (TH) which resulted in excessive cost and a smaller number of beneficiaries.
a) Decreased number of shelters constructed by 1,070 or 43% from the 2,480 TS to 1410 TS/TH deprived, 1,070 beneficiaries of houses costing P81,544,700.
b) INCREASED number of shelter cost by 192% of P146,162.34 per unit as compared with the cost of a TS and 122% or P122,372.34 increase as against the cost of a DSWD standard core shelter of P100,000 per unit.
c) Increase in project cost by 6% or 12 million from P189,000,000 to P201,000,00 without increasing the number of temporary shelters.
2) Total overhead is P82,777,076 or 41% of total project cost of P201 million which is in excess of 14% allowable overhead.
3) One hundred thirty-three (133) TS were dismantled, costing P18,959,574.50 and these only lasted nine months from the date of transfer to owners, when the TS can actually last as long as FIVE (5) yeas. These TS were also upgraded by the DSWD to Core Shelters at a cost of P10,135,930. This resulted in a waste of government funds for the construction of TS when the needed shelters are core shelters. This rendered the funds for the 133 TS as wasted funds.
Changes and Remedies
Sec. Taguiwalo said that given the findings of the investigation, some steps are already being considered for implementation.
a. For DReAMB:
• Formulate new guidelines for distribution of ESA; Consult all the stakeholders, internal and external, of the project in crafting/formulating policies; Include guidelines to define partially and totally damaged homes
• Review guidelines for core shelter program to include provision that LGUs should secure lots for the relocation areas before funds are downloaded to them;
• To review the documentary requirements of the existing policies on disaster programs and assess their significance;
b. For DSWD, in general:
• Review guidelines for approval of projects to organizations which still have accountabilities with DSWD;
• Review guidelines to compel LGUs to liquidate funds received from DSWD;
c. For Field Offices:
• Enhance technical assistance and monitoring functions of Field Offices to LGUs which received DSWD program funds;
• For the Field Office VI to mobilize the Quick Response Teams to augment in the recovery and rehabilitation phase and request additional human resources from the Central Office to support its DRRMU operations.
DSWD releases Status Report on `Yolanda’ Funds and Shelters for survivors
US Peace Corp volunteer to help city gov’t campaign on marine preservation
In Catbalogan City
CATBALOGAN CITY- The United States has extended assistance to the marine research and preservation program of this city government by sending a Peace Corps volunteer.
This was disclosed by City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan who said that the assigned Peace Corp volunteer will boost their campaign.
“The city government of Catbalogan is grateful to US Peace Corps for extending (a helping hands) to us to fill in the spaces and needs of our city especially through technical and technological (support),” the city mayor said.
The Peace Corp volunteer, Melissa Gonzales who is a marine biologist, arrived in Catbalogan last month and will stay for two years.
Gonzales’ assignment requires her to work within the context of the Philippine National Strategy of Integrated Coastal Management which aims for the sustainable development of coastal areas and for the improvement of the quality of life of coastal populations.
Catbalogan sea waters cover Maqueda Bay which is rich on marine resources but its volume is fast dwindling due to unsafe fishing activities by the local fishermen.
Coastal resource management is one of the five programs offers by the Peace Corps in their two-year program that integrate American citizens to share their expertise with the community they chose to serve with.
Gonzales is expected to provide technical assistance like capacity building, institutional strengthening, policy development, marine protection, alliance building, environmental education, community organization and sustainable financing mechanisms.
The US Peace Corps is a volunteer program providing technical assistance, helping people of other countries to understand American culture, and in return, help the Americans understand the cultures of other countries.
Their work is generally related to social and economic development where they will work abroad for a period of two years after three months of training.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
9 drug users, pushers arrested in buy-bust operations; shabu worth over P45,000 seized
TACLOBAN CITY- Nine individuals were arrested in this city after members of the Tacloban city police conducted series of buy-bust operations.
The sting operations by the city police also resulted for the confiscation of sachets of methamphetamine of shabu valued at more than P45,000.
Arrested during the November 12,14 and 15 operations were Ronald Pagayanan,35; Norman Mendova,41; Salvador Peñaranda, 43; Marco Tan, 28; Cherryl Atillo, 39; Jaime Projemo, 44; Joel Abarsosa, 28; Rodolfo Ortega, 53 and Keith Allan Homeres, 34.
The biggest haul of shabu that were confiscated came from the group of Atillo, Projemo, Abarsosa and Tan, who earlier surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.
The operatives seized nine sachets of shabu worth P30,000. The suspects were arrested on Nov.14 in Barangay 83, San Jose district.
Meantime, shabu worth P15,000 were seized during the arrest of Pagayanan in Brgy. 110, Utap district on Nov.12.
All suspects were charged for possession and selling the illicit drugs and now confined at the Tacloban city police custodial facility.
The operations conducted by the Tacloban city police under the supervision of police Director Supt. Rolando Bade in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (PR)
PhilHealth coverage for Zika
TACLOBAN CITY- IN the midst of recent news reports on the Zika virus, members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) need not worry, for health insurance coverage is available, should the need arises.
Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr., PhilHealth OIC President and Chief Executive Officer today said that the current case rates system provides for an inpatient coverage of P8,100 for “other specified mosquito-borne viral fevers” including Zika virus infection.
The amount, he said, includes coverage for hospital charges and professional fees of attending physicians.
Aristoza added that coverage for other conditions with reference to microcephaly, hydro microcephaly and micrencephalon is at P13,000.
“We support the call of the Department of Health for fellow Filipinos to be vigilant about this disease. As a health insurer, your PhilHealth is ready to provide the financial protection that such a viral disease can wreak on the Filipino family,” he said.
Health insurance coverage for Zika virus disease may be availed by PhilHealth members who have at least three (3) months’ premium contributions within the immediate six (6) months prior to the first day of confinement at any of the accredited health care institutions (HCI) in the country.
Through the PhilHealth Benefit Eligibility Form (PBEF) which will be generated in HCIs that are MyPhilHealthPortalready, the member’s benefit eligibility is ascertained.
Otherwise, members must present a copy of their updated Member Data Records to facilitate availment of benefits. (PR)
Tacloban city gov’t to lure investors with passage of investment, incentive codes
TACLOBAN CITY- Three years after supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit Tacloban, the city government has never been more aggressive in enticing businessmen to invest in the city.
A Local Incentives and Investment Code (LIIC) intended to lure local and foreign businessmen to put up business in the city have been endorsed before members of the city council.
The investment code aims to encourage local and foreign investors to put money in priority areas or industries for development in Tacloban.
The administration of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez is intent on enticing more investors to Tacloban.
Mayor Romualdez believes that encouraging more investors to the city would mean additional job opportunities for Taclobanons.
Once approved, the LIIC will make available fiscal and non-fiscal incentives or tax holidays for investors in order to entice them to priority areas or industries for development in the city.
It is also expected to enhance the processing of business permits and access to business information.
Among the priority areas for investment highlighted in the proposed LIIC is the development of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub in the city.
City Administrator Atty. Irene Chiu said Tacloban is ready to host Business Processing Outsourcing (BPOs) Companies or call centers.
According to Chiu, Tacloban’s edge over other cities is its low-cost of living and cheaper minimum wage.
While other IT hubs are congested, Tacloban still offers enough “legroom” for IT companies to thrive, she added.
Last November 10, the city government wasted no time in promoting this possibility when it hosted the gathering of ICT practitioners and stakeholders throughout the country.
Other come on for investors is the relatively low crime rate in city. In fact, on November 7 the city government with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inked the joint Declaration of Stable Internal Peace and Security.
A new township in the north –Tacloban North– which has designated Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Zones suitable for the light industries, is also being developed to make the highly urbanized city “attractive” to potential business locators.
Tacloban North is considered a flagship project of Mayor Romualdez outlined in the Tacloban Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (TRRP) as it is located in one of the safest areas of the city away from storm surge and geophysical hazards as indicated in Government hazard maps.
Other priority industries for development are tourism and infrastructure services.
(HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO)
Popcom teaches proper parenting for adolescents in Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY- Parenting can be the most rewarding work of adult life.
Nothing brings more joy and pride than a happy, productive, and loving child. But parenting adolescents has never been easy. It may seem harder today in this too-much-information-and-everything-else age, but the basic principles haven’t changed.
It’s a balancing act: allowing more freedom while maintaining limits that hope help them live long enough to become their own persons.
Both parents and adolescents may find help through the Commission on Population’s (Popcom) Learning Package on Parent Education on Adolescent Health and Development (LPPEAHD) in understanding and managing each other these adolescent years—years that can be both exhilarating and daunting.
Since LPPEAHD’s inception, Popcomc-8 has conducted several trainings to parents in various parts of the region to help them provide the best type of guidance and advice to their adolescent children on matters pertaining to adolescent health and development, most especially on human sexuality-related issues.
On November 14-18, 2016 about 60 nurses, midwives and teachers who are already from different towns across Eastern Samar were trained by Popcom on how to prepare themselves and their children for a smoother transition and greater success in achieving the tasks of adolescent development. They were also trained to conduct a similar training to their fellow parents in their respective communities.
The training was sponsored by the Department of Health Provincial Office in Eastern Samar headed by Dr. Jean Marie Egargo.
“We enjoyed the sessions as we went through focus group discussions and role playing,” said Maria Marcelina Crodula, a participant from Guiuan town.
She said she learned that adolescents need many skills in order to successfully achieve their goal of increased independence. (MEL CASPE)