Duterte orders fast-tracking of Yolanda shelter aid

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte ordered his officials to fast-track the provision of housing aid to families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which devastated the central Philippines in 2013.

Duterte visited Tacloban City on Tuesday, November 8, the 3rd anniversary of the onslaught of the super typhoon.

In his speech, Duterte lamented that many victims still do not have housing assistance and shelter. He directed Vice President Leni Robredo, chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to fast-track and oversee the implementation of housing projects for Yolanda survivors.

“I came 3 years ago when this incident happened and I was sad…Do not be offended but pagtanong ko (when I asked around) 3 years after, iilang tao pa lang ang nakatira sa mga (only a few were living in the) bunkhouses or the relief houses that are provided by government,” Duterte said.

“I am not satisfied. As a matter of fact, it’s a – it’s BS to me,” he added.

The President said he wants to see survivors provided with housing aid by December.

“I want this thing completed – I will be back…In the fullness of God’s time, I will be back December,” he said.

Duterte also warned that officials from the Local Water Utilities Administration, the National Housing Authority, and the Department of Public Works and Highways will be fired if they do not do their jobs well.

The super typhoon left more than 6,000 people dead and over one million houses damaged. (IN NUMBERS: 3 years after Super Typhoon Yolanda)

Robredo earlier said she is eyeing the completion of housing for Yolanda survivors by 2018.

As of September 30, 2016, the government has finished the construction of 29,661 houses while there are 20,287 partially-completed homes for 205,000 families. – Rappler.com