Church to finish 1st part of Yolanda rehab on March

MANILA,Philippines - The social action arm of the Catholic Church, NASSA- Caritas Philippines, will complete the first phase of rehabilitation program for families affected by supertyphoon Yolanda this coming March. 

 

NASSA-Caritas Philippines national director Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona said the first phase is part of the three-year program which began last April in Leyte, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Cebu.

 

The nine provinces have been severely affected by Yolanda,Tirona said.

 

"Our dream to build resilient communities is slowly coming to life. On the second year, we are hoping to continue this worthwhile endeavor through the help of our partners and donors," the archbishop said. 

 

Based on the NASSA-Caritas Philippines third quarter report, the total number of shelters built is at 1,790 whiles repaired houses is at 205.

 

Water system and sanitation facilities as well as hygiene promotion trainings were also provided to almost 37,000 persons while almost 55,000 were beneficiaries of various livelihood programs and trainings. 

 

On the first year of the rehabilitation program, the social action arm has allocated P587 million, P364.9 million of which have been spend and accounted for as of December 2014.

 

"We make sure that transparent and honest spending is being observed at both the national and diocesan levels. That is why we have institutionalized financial monitoring and evaluation policies by regular monitoring and evaluation each quarter, by national and international auditors," the prelate said.