PDRRMO chief urges Yolanda town to avail of WB grant

CEBU, Philippines - The head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has urged towns in northern Cebu affected by super typhoon Yolanda to avail of the grant offered by the World Bank.

Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. said the financial grants are an opportunity that the towns should take advantage of for the sake of development especially in ravaged areas.

“(Otherwise) they will miss the infrastructure component of development. Sayang kaayo,” he told reporters.

Tribunalo made the statement after learning of the situation in Daanbantayan where the town Council did not authorize the town to avail of the loan.

The Municipal Development Council has endorsed projects worth P885 million to WB, which include the construction of a drainage system, purchase of heavy equipment, relocation of municipal hall, relocation of wet market, rehabilitation of old public market and the modernization of rural health unit, and water treatment facilities, among others.

 Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said earlier all towns accepted the offer by granting the respective mayors authority, except his town.

Tribunalo suggested that harmony and cooperation be maintained among the town officials, saying that the council should look at the lighter side of the program, which will benefit the residents of the town.

 “Mohangyo lang pud ko, as PDRRMO head, magkasinabtanay gyud sila, tugotan unta nila. I would suggest whatever is the political affiliation, ila gyud nang tan-awon unta... When you talk about resiliency, there should be unity,” he said.

“Disaster is not only caused by natural hazards but disaster can be caused by disunity among the local leaders. This time, disaster become anthropogenic. Tawo ang hinugdan,” he added.

Tribunalo also suggested that the town hire consultants to help it in the technical preparation of documentation.

“Nindot unta pud og naay consultancy. I am not belittling the town but dako man gud siya nga project,” he said.  (FREEMAN)