MANILA, Philippines - The first batch of rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Typhoon Yolanda-affected local government units is 95 percent complete.
Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said yesterday 299 of 309 damaged municipal facilities have been rehabilitated, with the remaining 10 projects to be completed by the first quarter of this year under the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) project.
A total of 171 municipalities were affected by Yolanda, which hit the country on Nov. 8, 2013, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
It said the RAY Project would provide support and assistance to local government units (LGUs) severely affected by the super typhoon.
The LGUs include those in the provinces of Palawan, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Samar.
Sarmiento said the first batch of funds amounting to P1.24 billion was released to LGUs in April 2014 for the repair and rehabilitation of damaged municipal facilities.
Projects include repair of halls, public markets and civic centers.