Gov't raises budget for rebuilding typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government has increased to P40.9 billion ($935.2 million) the budget in rehabilitating the areas devastated by typhoon Haiyan (local codename Yolanda), a senior government official said today.

Herminio Coloma Jr., Secretary of the Philippines' Presidential Communications Operations Office, said in an interview over a state-run radio station that the fund was raised from P38.8 billion ($887.1 million) after factoring in the requirements for repair of local government building and facilities, police and fire stations, and public markets.

According to him, the refinements on the "Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan" were made during a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Coloma said the 67 percent of the budget would be allocated to shelter and public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airport, port and other facilities, while 12 percent will be spent on enhancing livelihood and employment, including support to agriculture and fisheries.

Meanwhile, 11 percent of the budget will cover local facilities, while the rest 9 percent will go to social services, including health services, education and training.

These budget estimates will be subjected to further fine-tuning through on-ground validation of initial rapid assessment findings, he added.

The government priority areas are the localities within the 50- kilometer zone from the eye of Haiyan that struck Central Philippine region of Eastern Visayas and its nearby regions.

Included in the first-priority zone are 171 municipalities in 14 provinces and six regions with an estimated total population 6. 6 million as of 2010, Coloma said.