Iloilo OKs P454-M ‘Quinta’ rehab plan

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Long-term rehabilitation programs for the victims of tropical storm “Quinta” and the damage it brought are expected to be in full swing in Iloilo soon.

This, as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. approved on Tuesday the rehabilitation plan after Quinta pummeled Iloilo last Dec. 26.

The rehabilitation plan, covering three sectors, namely economic, social services and infrastructure, involves a total amount of P454,357,980.

The economic sector component includes rehabilitation plans for agriculture (P120.8 million), veterinary services (P1.4 million), cooperative development (P1.2 million), and environment and natural resources (P17.5 million).

Under the social services component are rehabilitation plans for social welfare (P14,351,198) and public health (P120,001,500).

The infrastructure component, meanwhile, covers rehabilitation plans for provincial roads and bridges (P86,692,700), school buildings and other school facilities (P2.5 million), hospital facilities/equipment, furniture and fixtures (P1.63 million), river control in Cabatuan and Pototan towns (P67,282,582), a farm-to-market road in Pototan (P1.5 million), drainage system in Pototan (P500,000), the coliseum in Pototan (P2.5 million), and flood control in Calinog (P17 million).

PDRRMC executive director Jerry Bionat said the funds will be taken from the trust fund of the province’s calamity fund and other sources like from the national government and donations from the private sector.

The PDRRMC also approved P10,000 in financial assistance to the families of each of the 15 casualties, and P5,000 in financial aid each to families whose houses were totally destroyed.

PDRRMC data show that Quinta totally destroyed 1,042 houses, and damaged 4,764 others.

Meanwhile, Defensor asked Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Romeo Momo to prioritize the repair of damaged roads and bridges in the province and clearing of silted rivers to prevent flooding during heavy rains.

Flashfloods caused by Quinta affected 40,519 families in 372 barangays in Iloilo’s 27 towns, according to the PDRRMC.

Damage to agriculture was estimated at P21.1 million, and infrastructure, P108 million.