Probe into Yolanda aid sought

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon is seeking a congressional investigation into the government building assistance program for victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Salimbangon urged the House committee on housing and urban development and its Senate counterpart, committee on urban development, housing and resettlement, to look into how the assistance was distributed.

Salimbangon lamented that out of the eight municipalities and one city in his district, only one municipality has received the assistance from the national government. He said only a portion of the affected families in Bogo City has received the assistance.

The fourth district of Cebu is composed of the city of Bogo and the municipalities of Bantayan, Madridejos, Santa Fe, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

Salimbangon, who chairs the House committee on aquaculture and fisheries resources, said many of his constituents lost their homes because of the typhoon Yolanda.

The House of Representatives approved a P14.6-billion supplemental budget in 2013 as “post Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation fund.”

Salimbangon said an additional P160 billion was allotted for Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation fund which include the “housing assistance.”

Salimbangon said a “significant number of Yolanda affected families” in his district “do not see and feel government’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts.”  (FREEMAN)