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[av_heading heading=’Ready for another ‘Yolanda’? ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Three years ago, super typhoon “Yolanda” devastated northern Iloilo and left the Ilonggos with a lesson they have taken to heart – be prepared for disasters all the time.
The preparedness of local government units is crucial in mitigating disasters, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. as he recalled the typhoon’s Nov. 8, 2013 destruction specifically in landslide- and flood-prone areas and coastal communities.
Houses were smashed like matchboxes. Trees were uprooted. Storm surges flooded coastal areas. As the provincial government struggled to cope with the devastation, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared a state of calamity.
“Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) was one of the most intense tropical cyclones in the world on record, and the deadliest in the Philippines, killing at least 6,000 people in Eastern, Central and Western Visayas. It was also the strongest storm recorded at landfall.
Is the province ready for another super typhoon?
Defensor expressed confidence the Ilonggos will survive another one but noted the dearth in safe evacuation centers.
“We don’t have the funds to put up all the needed evacuation areas. Yes, we have areas that should have evacuation centers,” he said.
For this year, the province allotted P105 million disaster preparedness and related activities through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The fund is five percent of the total income of the province.
Defensor, however, emphasized that each local government should take the initiative in disaster preparedness.
“Magpanuto man sila. Ila ina principal obligation, may calamity fund man sila. But this does not prevent us from extending help,” the governor said.
Defensor acknowledged the help of foreign governments and international organizations.
“Bilyon-bilyon ang nahatag sa aton. Amo na ang nagsalbar sang probinsya. Wala ta na-exhaust ang aton calamity fund because of the assistance sang lain-lain nga donors,” said Defensor.
He cited the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Italy, France, Korea, and Japan for helping Iloilo.
Just last month, P441.9-million worth of completed “Yolanda” recovery projects – housing and livelihood – were turned over to the beneficiaries in the towns of Balasan and Ajuy. These projects were funded by the Philippine Red Cross in partnership with the British Red Cross.
In terms of livelihood assistance, Defensor said most fishermen-survivors already recovered because of the fishing boats donated to them.
Regarding the housing projects for “Yolanda” survivors, however, the governor admitted some are not yet completed. He said construction of houses in the towns of Estancia, Carles, Balasan, and San Dionisio, all in northern Iloilo, are still ongoing./PN
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