RDC pushes P26B rehab plan for Cebu province

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council-7 has endorsed to the National Economic Development Authority the P26.8-billion proposed rehabilitation and reconstruction program for Cebu after typhoon Yolanda hit last November 8.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III presented yesterday the rehabilitation plan during the RDC-7 full council meeting.

The plan that was earlier approved by the Provincial Development Council covers the budget needed by the different sectors, which include shelter and resettlement, infrastructure, utilities, school and health facilities, and livelihood, among others.

Around P23.6 billion of the total proposed rehabilitation cost will go to the shelter and resettlement.

 The infrastructure and utilities sector will cost P700 million; social infrastructure sector P853.7 million; livelihood and emergency employment sector P558 million and P25.3 million for the social development sector.

Davide earlier created a special task force to plan, implement, and monitor rehabilitation programs, projects and activities in the areas of Cebu Province affected by the super typhoon.

The areas affected are the municipalities of Sogod, Borbon, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos, Camotes Island and Bogo City, all in northern Cebu.

Meanwhile, Cebu was also included in the rehabilitation and recovery plan endorsed by RDC-7 to NEDA for areas affected by the October 15 earthquake.

 Cebu needs P1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures brought by the 7.2-magnitude quake.

While Bohol needs only P80.7 million for rehabilitation due to the typhoon, it needs P12.3 billion for rehabilitation after the earthquake, the epicenter of which was in Sagbayan town of the said province.

A total of 221 persons were confirmed dead; 795 were injured; and eight persons remain missing in Bohol.

The earthquake destroyed more than 66,000 houses, and damaged infrastructure facilities such as roads, bridges, ports, public buildings, school buildings, power transmission lines and tourist attraction facilities.  (FREEMAN)