sulhog

For discussion purposes only.Please do not reproduce.

sulhogEastern Visayas Yolanda Reconstruction Plan

25 March 2014

SULHOG is the local term for “ray of light.”

MessageThe catastrophic impact of Supertyphoon Yolanda can no longer be questioned. We know in our minds and hearts that the extent of damage and losses are something that go beyond statistical figures and numbers. Experience tells us that any place hit by a disaster, especially when it is of much higher intensity, takes a great deal of resilience to be able to recover. How much more for Eastern Visayas, whose large part, including its regional capital and only Highly Urbanized City of Tacloban, had been decimated to a place of rubbish and despondency? For all the havoc wreaked by Yolanda in this part of the country, it would indeed take a lot of hard work, coordinated efforts, and synergistic commitment from all sectors possible in order for Region VIII to bounce back and continue its quest for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

It is under this premise that this Sulhog – Yolanda Reconstruction Plan has been crafted.

As Vice-Chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII and Vice-Chair for Rehabilitation and Recovery of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) VIII, NEDA VIII has risen to the challenge and the privilege of initiating the preparation of this Plan document. We need Sulhog to put together what the government agencies, local government units, and the public academe intend to do to help rebuild the affected areas and sectors, with the common goal of building this region better and safer. This should be our constant reminder to be on track and to put our acts together.

The pain caused by Yolanda is somewhat negated by the phenomenal opportunity to be able to build back better, given the overwhelming support that comes our way in many forms – humanitarian aid for immediate disaster relief, funding assistance for rehabilitation and recovery projects, and even technical assistance willing to be shared by experts on understanding better the disaster that hit us and preventing another one from hitting us in the future.

As we allow ourselves to be guided by this Plan document, we convey to you some hard facts that we have been facing as a region before Yolanda hit us. Eastern Visayas has been steadily inching up higher in the ranks of poverty incidence. Based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, it was the 7th poorest region in the country in 2006; the 5th poorest in 2009; then finally in 2012, the 2nd poorest. Worse, the regional economy in 2012 slumped when the Gross Regional Domestic Product contracted by negative 6.2%.

This is a very bleak picture that we are presenting but nevertheless one that could be taken as an eye opener and a call to action. Initially, we might want to aim to at least bring the region to its pre-disaster conditions, but such is not at all an ideal state of development, and therefore is something that we should not settle with. We will rebuild but we need to rebuild better.

Let us call to mind the existence of the Updated Regional Development Plan 2014-2016, which was adopted to guide our actions towards the attainment of our triple vision of becoming an agri-business leader, a tourism haven, and information and communications technology (ICT) leader. While Sulhog charts out our way to rehabilitation and recovery, the RDP illustrates our way of attaining a robust economy, liberating ourselves from pervasive poverty, and ultimately, making inclusive growth more than just a buzz word.

However, it is essential that we bounce back first after Yolanda. It should not be that difficult because of the outpouring assistance coming from the national government as embodied in the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) and the rehabilitation plans of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) clusters on infrastructure, resettlement, livelihood, social services, and support.

With all these support systems in place, there is great promise that Eastern Visayas will be able to get back on its feet and move undauntedly again towards becoming a progressive region.

Let Sulhog then be our source of inspiration in our recovery work and a concrete reminder for all of us to, at all times, be in cadence in moving towards a common direction. Sulhog, as the name suggests, should be taken as our symbol of hope, our “ray of light.” By putting our acts together, we can spread this light to obliterate the darkness and desolation left behind by Yolanda.

ATTY. BONIFACIO G. UYVice-Chair, RDC VIII,Vice-Chair, RDRRMC VIII andRegional Director, NEDA VIII

Excerpts from the Minutes of the Regional Development Council VIII Meeting held on March 25, 2014 at the Tierra de Milagros, Palo, Leyte

RDC VIII Resolution No. 7, Series of 2014

APPROVING THE EASTERN VISAYAS YOLANDA RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY PLAN (EV-YRRP)

Whereas, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in its capacity as the Vice-Chair for Rehabilitation and Recovery of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, initiated at the national level the formulation of the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY), which is a framework document on the rehabilitation and recovery plan for all regions of the country affected by Typhoon Yolanda;

Whereas, the NEDA Regional Office VIII, pursuant to its mandate as the Vice-Chair for Rehabilitation and Recovery of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and RDC VIII Resolution No. 54, Series of 2013, coordinated the preparation of the Eastern Visayas Yolanda Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (EV-YRRP);

Whereas, following a participatory process in preparing the EV-YRRP, the NEDA VIII conducted various activities such as, but not limited to, the sectoral rehabilitation planning workshops, agency visits, and distribution of letter-requests to generate damage and loss assessment reports and proposed rehabilitation and recovery interventions from agencies, local government units, state universities and colleges, and the private/business sector;

Whereas, the EV-YRRP contains four chapters, namely: Chapter 1: Characterization of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Chapter 2: Eastern Visayas Before Yolanda, Chapter 3: Eastern Visayas Immediately After Yolanda, and Chapter 4: Bouncing Back From Yolanda;

Whereas, upon presentation to the Council in this meeting, the draft EV-YRRP was found to be responsive to the rehabilitation and recovery requirements of the region, with recommendations to update the figures on the damage, loss, and needs;

NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to approve the Eastern Visayas Yolanda Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (EV-YRRP), subject to the incorporation of the final Yolanda Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and improvement of the title.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, this 25th day of March, Two Thousand and Fourteen, at Palo, Leyte.

Certified true and correct: Attested/Approved:

ERNESTO T. OCTAVIANO BONIFACIO G. UYRDC VIII Acting Secretary RDC VIII Vice-Chair and Presiding Officer

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Table of Contents Message

RDC VIII Resolution No. 7, s. 2014

10 Introduction 12 Chapter 1: Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) 15 Chapter 2: Eastern Visayas Before Yolanda 15 General Profile 16 Unique Characteristics of Eastern Visayas 17 Socio-economic Situation 21 State of Infrastructure Development 22 Regional Development Framework 23 Chapter 3: Eastern Visayas Immediately After Yolanda 23 Overall Impact to the Region25 Infrastructure Sector 26 Economic Sector 27 Social Sector 27 Cross-sectoral Impacts and Needs 28 Macroeconomy34 Looting: Side-Effect of Yolanda 35 Chapter 4: Bouncing Back From Yolanda 36 Principles 37 Priority Interventions 38 Complete List of All Interventions 38 Infrastructure Sector 40 Economic Sector 48 Social Sector 51 Cross-sectoral Interventions 51 Peace and Security 52 Environment 53 Macroeconomy 55 Governance 60 Special Section on Policy and Operational Issues/ Concerns and Recommendations 60 Agriculture 62 Trade, Industry and Services 64 Social Sector 65 Infrastructure 67 Environment 68 Governance

List of tables and figures Page No.

Table 1. Projected GRDP Growth Rates: 2013-2016 22Table 2. Total Damage and Losses and Total Needs per Major Sector 23Table 3. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Infrastructure Sector (in PhP million) 25Table 4. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Economic Sector (in PhP million) 26Table 5. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Social Sector (in PhP million) 27Table 6. Cross-sectoral Damage, Losses and Needs (in PhP million) 28Table 7. Impact on 2013 GRDP 28Table 8. Impact of Yolanda on Poverty Incidence Among Population 30Table 9. Eastern Visayas Labor and Employment: July 2013 30Table 10. Number of Affected Workers in Industry and Services by City/Province 31Table 11. Number of Affected Workers in AHFF by Province 31Table 12. Region VIII 2013 3rd and 4th Quarter Revenue Collections (in PhP) 32Table 13. Region VIII Annual Revenue Collections: 2011-2013 (in PhP) 32Table 14. Consumer Price Index, Inflation Rate, and Purchasing Power of Peso in Region VIII: 2012-2013 33Table 15. Month-on-Month Regional Inflation by Commodity Group in Eastern Visayas: October, November and December 2013, (2006=100) 33Table 16. Pathway to Recovery 37

Figure 1. Tracks of the Three Typhoons 13Figure 2. Path of Supertyphoon Yolanda 13Figure 3. Eastern Visayas Household Population by Sex and Age: 2010 15Figure 4. GRDP Growth Rates, Philippines and Eastern Visayas: 2008-2012 17Figure 5. GRDP Growth Rates by Major SeFctor: 2010-2012 17Figure 6. Production Growth Rate by Commodity: 2012 18Figure 7. Provincial Shares to Total Agricultural Production: 2012 18Figure 8. Top Five Exports of Eastern Visayas: 2011-2012 (in million US dollars) 19Figure 9. Participation Rate, Eastern Visayas: SY 2011-2012 20Figure 10. Cohort Survival Rate, Eastern Visayas: SY 2011-2012 20Figure 11. Vision and Development Thrusts of Eastern Visayas 22 Figure 12. Affected Areas of Eastern Visayas 24

Abbreviations and AcronymsAHFF agriculture, hunting, fishery and forestry BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesBIR Bureau of Internal RevenueBPMO business process managementCPI consumer price indexCSC Civil Service CommissionDA Department of AgricultureDENR Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesDepEd Department of EducationDOLE Department of Labor and EmploymentDOST Department of Science and TechnologyDPWH Department of Public Works and HighwaysDILG Department of the Interior and Local GovernmentDTI Department of Trade and IndustryDWSD Department of Social Welfare and DevelopmentECs electric cooperativesEDC Energy Development CorporationEVRGC Eastern Visayas Regional Growth CenterGDP gross domestic productGIS geographic information systemGRDP gross regional domestic productGVA gross valued addedICT information and communications technologyIDP internally displaced personskph kilometers per hourLIDE Leyte Industrial Development EstateLWUA Local Water Utilities AdministrationMDG Millennium Development GoalsMSME micro, small, medium enterpriseNDHS National Demographic Health SurveyNEDA National Economic and Development AuthorityNSCB National Statistical Coordination BoardNSO National Statistics OfficeOCD Office of Civil DefensePAR Philippine Area of ResponsibilityPASAR Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining CorporationPCA Philippine Coconut AuthorityPCIC Philippine Crop Insurance CorporationPDNA Post Disaster Needs AssessmentPhilFIDA Philippine Fiber Industry Development AuthorityPHILPHOS Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer CorporationPPA Philippine Ports AuthorityPPAN Philippine Plan of Action for NutritionPPAs programs, projects and activitiesR&R rehabilitation and recoveryRAY Reconstruction Assistance on YolandaRDC Regional Development CouncilRDP Regional Development PlanRDRRMC Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CouncilRLA regional line agencyRORO roll on-roll offSBC Small Business CorporationSETUP Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading ProgramSSF shared service facilitySUC state universities and collegesTC Tropical Cyclone

acknowledgementWith deep gratitide, we, at NEDA VIII,

would like to thank everyone who contributed in crafting this Plan document.

National Line Agencies BFAR, BIR, CAAP, DA, DAR, DENR, DepEd, DILG, DOH, DOLE, DOST, DOT, DPWH,

DTI, DSWD, EMB, NSCB, NSO, OCD, PAGASA, PCA, PhilFIDA, PNP, PPA-Ormoc, PPA-Tacloban, NIA, NHA, NNC, TESDA

Local Government Units Province of Leyte, Province of Biliran, Province of Southern Leyte, Province of Eastern Samar, Province of Northern Samar, Tacloban City, Baybay City, Catbalogan City, and

Ormoc City

State Universities and Colleges ESSU, EVSU, LNU, NSU, NwSSU, PIT, SLSU, SSU, UEP, and VSU

Private organizations and individuals Ormoc-Kananga MDCCI, Inc., DORELCO, Carigara Water District, and Mr. Oliver Cam

Photo Credits

Charlie David Martinezwww.chicagotribune.com

EPA/NOAA/Handout/LandovMahar Lagmay, DOST-PAGASA

www.america.aljazeera.comDA VIII

www.america.aljazeera.comEdwin Malasig/Rappler

www.thetimes.comwww.nbcnews.com

10

Role of Eastern Visayas in National Development. Eastern Visayas Region serves as the geographical backbone of the Philippines as it lies in the mid-easternmost border of the Philippine archipelago. Owing to its location, it is the principal gateway to northern and southern parts of the country via the Maharlika Highway. It is also a resource-blest region in terms of natural endowments, which are considered great potentials for economic growth. Given these traits, it plays a significant role in the development of the country. As embodied in its 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan, it was aiming to become a leader in agri-business and ICT and a tourism haven as its contribution to the national goal of inclusive growth.

Supertyphoon Yolanda. However, by twist of fate, on November 8, 2013, most of Eastern Visayas was ravaged by Supertyphoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan). The storm surge precipitated by the typhoon in its coastal towns claimed thousands of lives and wrought massive destruction to private and public properties. The government and the private sector joined hands in delivering humanitarian response to those affected by the typhoon. But knowing that relief assistance will have to come to an end, the government saw the imperativeness of starting rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the soonest possible time.

How was this Plan prepared?

sulHog was prepared by the NEDA Regional Office VIII under the auspices of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council VIII as well as the Regional Development Council VIII. By law, NEDA VIII is mandated to act as Vice-Chair for Rehabilitation and Recovery under the RDRRMC structure. This is pursuant to Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law. Meanwhile, the RDC VIII, in its earnest desire to facilitate the rehabilitation of the region, passed RDC VIII Resolution No. 54, s. 2013, Approving the Preparation of the Eastern Visayas Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan and Enjoining all Entities to Support its Preparation.

The content of sulhog emanated from the inputs of various regional line agencies, provincial and city governments, private sector representatives, and state universities and colleges. Through formal requests and workshops, assessment of the damage and losses, resulting issues and

Introduction

Phot

o Cr

edit:

Cha

rlie

Dav

id M

artin

ez

concerns, and proposed interventions were solicited from the different sectors. The assessment portion was based on the Post Disaster Needs Assessment conducted by the RDRRMC through the leadership of the Office of Civil Defense.

Why this Plan? At the national level, there already exists a blueprint for the rehabilitation and recovery of all Yolanda-affected regions of the country. It is called Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY). Region VIII, being the hardest hit in the country, followed suit and came up with this regional version of the RAY dubbed as sulhog. This is a subset of the national government’s strategic plan to restore the affected areas to at least their pre-disaster situation and at most rebuild them better and safer.

What is in this Plan? sulhog presents a comparison of the socio-economic conditions of Eastern Visayas, before and after Yolanda. It contains a consolidation of proposed interventions in the different sectors, which are deemed necessary in reconstructing and rehabilitating the region. Adopting the RAY principles and framework on the path to recovery, it identifies the expected key results along shelter, infrastructure, livelihood, and even institutional support to the implementation of the identified rehabilitation and recovery programs and projects.

The specific programs, projects, and activities that will concretize the strategies embodied in this Plan document are found in its companion document, the Eastern Visayas Yolanda Investment Program 2014-2016.

Phot

o Cr

edit:

ww

w.c

hica

gotr

ibun

e.co

m

12

Chapter ITyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan)Historical Perspective. The National Climatic Data Center of the United States of America reported that three supertyphoons had struck the Philippines in the last 117 years. The first, unnamed, occurred in October 1897 with a death toll of 7,000. After 15 years, in November 1912, another unnamed supertyphoon occurred, which rendered 15,000 people dead. Then after 101 years, in the same month of November in the year 2013, the third supertyphoon came — Typhoon Yolanda, with international name Haiyan. Yolanda is considered the most destructive natural disaster in Philippine and world history. Figure 1 shows that all three supertyphoons followed a similar track.

General Description. The PAGASA reported that Typhoon Yolanda was both huge and powerful with well-formed eye typical of a very strong typhoon. It maintained its strength due to warm water (sea surface temperature: >30° C) as the Typhoon “eye” passed Tacloban City. The point of landfall, the wind strength as well as the height of the storm surge (“Daluyong ng Bagyo”) were accurately predicted. Winds of 235 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 275 kph created a 7-meter, equivalent to 21-feet high or 3-storey-high building, surged onshore. It swept the coastal communities of Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Panay and Coron, Palawan.

Movement. Typhoon Yolanda was the 9th tropical cyclone that made landfall and the 24th TC that entered or developed inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2013. It entered PAR early morning of November 7, 2013, 943 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.2ºN, 134.9ºE). Yolanda was already a typhoon before it entered PAR and gained more strength as it moved west-north-westward at an average speed of 35 kph (Figure 2).

Yolanda made its first landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar (10.8ºN, 125.8ºE) at 4:40 in the morning of November 8, 2013. Affected areas are those lying within the 50 to 100-kilometer radius, with estimated winds of 185-235 kph. These include Leyte provinces, southern portion of Western and Eastern Samar.

It traversed the Leyte Gulf and made a second landfall in Tolosa, Leyte (11.0ºN, 125.1ºE) at 7:00 in the morning then crossed Northern Leyte. This second landfall, with estimated winds of 235kph, again affected Leyte and the southern portion of Western and Eastern Samar, or areas within the 50-kilometer radius, as well as Northern Leyte, rest of Eastern and Western Samar by the estimated winds of 185-235 kph within the 50 to 100-kilometer radius.

Phot

o Cr

edit:

EPA

/NO

AA/H

ando

ut/L

ando

v

Figure 1. Tracks of the Three Typhoons

Figure 2. Path of Supertyphoon Yolanda

13

The third landfall was in Daanbantayan, Northern Cebu (11.2ºN, 124.1ºE) at 9:40 in the morning. Affected areas within the 50-kilometer radius with estimated winds of 235kph were the northernmost portion of Cebu and Northern Leyte; within 50 to 100-kilometer with estimated winds of 185 to 235 kph — Northern Cebu (Bogo, Bantayan Borbon,

Source: Mahar Lagmay, DOST-PAGASA (https://twitter.com/nababaha/status/402377875342376961/photo/1/large)

Phot

o Cr

edit:

ww

w.a

mer

ica.

alja

zeer

a.co

m

Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan,Tuburan and Tudela), Leyte, Biliran, and the northern portion of Negros Occidental.

The fourth landfall came in Bantayan island, Cebu (11.2ºN, 123.8ºE) at 10:40 in the morning then moved towards Northern Panay. Affected areas within the 50-kilometer radius with estimated winds of 235 kph included the northernmost portion of Cebu and Negros Occidental; within the 50 to 100-kilometer radius with estimated winds of 185-235 kph - Northern Cebu, northern portion of Negros Occidental, and western portion of Capiz and Iloilo.

The fifth landfall was in Concepcion, Iloilo (11.2ºN, 123.2ºE) at 12:00 noon, then it traversed northern Panay in the next three hours and was over Sulu sea at 3:00 in the afternoon. Affected areas within the 50-kilometer radius with estimated winds of 215 kph were the western part of Capiz and Iloilo and the northermost portion of Negros Occidental; within the 50 to 100-kilometers with estimated winds of 185-215 kph — Northern Cebu, northern portion of Negros Occidental, western portion of Capiz and Iloilo. It severely damaged Northern Cebu and Panay Island.

The sixth landfall in Busuanga, Northern Palawan (11.8ºN, 120.6ºE) occurred at 8:00 in the evening. Affected areas within the 50-kilometer radius with estimated winds of 220 kph were Coron, Palawan; within the 50 to 100-kilometer with estimated winds of 185-230 kph — extreme Northern Palawan, rest of Northern Palawan (Busuanga, Coron, Cuilion and Linapacan), including Puerto Princesa.

Storm Surge. The storm surges generated by Yolanda were about 5 to 7 meters high. They inundated or flooded the coastal areas of the islands in the Visayas, including Northern Cebu and Palawan. The worst hit are the City of Tacloban and Basey, Samar due to their topographic setting and the shape and orientation of the coastline (winds blowing perpendicular to the coast) to the path of the typhoon. The surges swept out the coastal communities of Tacloban and Basey.

General Impact. The impact of strong winds unroofed houses and buildings, toppled power and telephone lines along its path, uprooted houses and trees, and claimed thousands of lives. The devastation was within the 600-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

15

Chapter 2Eastern Visayas: Before YolandaGeneral ProfileEastern Visayas or Region VIII is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. It is located in the mid-eastern border of the Philippine archipelago. It is one of the three regions comprising Visayas Island, which is one of the three main islands of the country. The two other big islands are Luzon and Mindanao. The land area of the region accounts for 7.1% of the country’s total land area.

Region VIII has three islands — the small island of Biliran and two bigger islands, Samar and Leyte, which are connected by the famous San Juanico Bridge. Samar Island is the country’s 3rd largest island, after Luzon and Mindanao Islands.

It is composed of six provinces — Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte. It has 7 cities, including Tacloban City, the region’s capital, which became a highly urbanized city on December 18, 2008. Tacloban is located in Leyte.

The total population of the region is around 4.1 million as of the 2010 Census. It has a relatively young population as shown by the broad-based pyramid in Figure 3.

Phot

o Cr

edit:

DA

VIII

Figure 3. Eastern Visayas Household Population by Sex and Age: 2010

Source: NSCB

16

Unique Characteristics of Eastern Visayas There are certain traits of the region that set it apart from other regions of the country.

1. Eastern Visayas has a very strategic location. It plays an important role in the country because it serves as the backbone of the entire Philippine archipelago. Owing to this location, Eastern Visayas is the principal gateway to northern and southern parts of the country, linking Luzon and Mindanao through the Philippine Nautical Highway. A major component of the Nautical Highway are the roll-on roll-off (RORO) ports in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte, the Maharlika Highway, and the iconic San Juanico Bridge (reputed as the longest bridge in the country with a length of almost 2 kilometers) linking the two RORO ports.

2. The region is endowed with vast, rich agricultural lands. According to the Bureau of Agricultural Research (2002), the total agricultural/farm area land is 723,048 hectares. Nearly half of the lands of Eastern Visayas is devoted to farming.

3. Eastern Visayas has always been a top producer of coconut production nationwide. From 2000 to 2011, it was consistently the second largest producer of coconut. However, in 2012, it slid to the third rank, next to Northern Mindanao Region as the second and Davao Region as the first. Estimated coconut production in 2012 was 1,800 metric tons valued at around PhP10.2 billion. Coconut oil used to be processed locally in the ten coconut oil mills in the region. However, the biggest oil mill, the New Leyte Edible Oil Manufacturing, Corp. located in Tanauan, Leyte and partly owned by Japanese investors, was severely damaged.

4. Over the years, Region VIII had also been known as a high ranker in abaca production. It was consistently the topnotcher in the country from 2000 to 2010. In 2011 and 2012, however, it fell second only to Bicol Region due to Brontispa disease. The value of abaca production in 2012 was PhP675.10 million.

5. Aside from its 20 major river systems, the region has 9 proclaimed watershed areas with a total area of 32,450 hectares. All are large potential sources of irrigation.

6. Eastern Visayas has been dubbed as the Geothermal Capital of the Philippines because it is the largest geothermal energy producer of the country. It currently hosts five power plants with an aggregate installed capacity of 700 megawatts, including the Malitbog Power Plant in Kananga, Leyte, the world’s largest geothermal power plant.

7. The region is also a premier tourist destination because of its natural beauty. It is home to Langun-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga, Samar. Having a length of seven kilometers and a size of 900 square kilometers, it is the largest cave in the Philippines, the second largest in Asia. Its karst formation is the third largest in the world.

8. Eastern Visayas plays a prominent role in the history of the Philippines. The site of the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines held on March 31, 1521 was in Limasawa, a small island in the Province of Southern Leyte.

History pages also reveal that Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in Philippine soils in the Island of Homonhon, Guiuan, Eastern Samar way back on March 16, 1521.

The region also made a mark in history as it was in Leyte where General Douglas MacArthur and his troops landed to liberate the Philippines on October 20, 1944. The MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial Site is one of the most frequently visited places in the region.

9. What also makes the region unique is that it houses an icon of infrastructure development in the country. The Agas-agas Bridge, now the country’s tallest bridge and site for the tallest zipline adventure, stands erect in Sogod, Southern Leyte,

10. Another edge of Eastern Visayas is the existence of 10 state universities. This number is the third largest in the country. The presence of these government-owned higher education institutions enables the poor people of Region VIII to afford quality college education.

17

Socio-Economic Situation Poverty. One of the challenging and sad realities confronting the region before Yolanda struck is extreme poverty. Over the years, its poverty problem has gone from bad to worse.

Just a year before Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, poverty incidence among population was recorded at a high 45.2%, making Eastern Visayas the second poorest region in the country. Among the provinces in the region, Eastern Samar had the highest at 63.7%, followed by Northern Samar and Samar at 50%, Southern Leyte at 43.3%, Leyte 39.2%, and Biliran 27.5%.

On farther hindsight, looking at the previous records of poverty incidence in the country based on the Family Income and Expenditures Survey, it can be said that poverty in Eastern Visayas has become pervasive, an almost perennial problem. In 2006, the proportion of poor population was placed at 41.5%. In 2009, it went up to 46.6%, and based on the latest count in 2012, it further escalated to 45.2%. Hence, from being the 7th poorest region in the country in 2006, it became the 5th poorest in 2009, and the second poorest in 2012.

Underlying Causes of Poverty

An analysis of the pre-Yolanda poverty situation points to a host of factors. Proximate to this is weak or slow economic growth. Other underlying causes of poverty are high underemployment, low productivity in agriculture, low human capital, insurgency in isolated areas of Samar Island, and high vulnerability to disasters.

1. Weak and Slow Economic Growth

Our 2012 Gross Regional Domestic Product was placed at PhP228.2 billion, which contributes only 2.3% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Based on the Gross Valued Added of the three major sectors, the top contributor to the regional economy is services, followed closely by industry. Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishery comes last, contributing only 22.6%. This is ironical in view of the fact that Eastern Visayas is endowed with lots of natural resources that can be tapped for farming and fishing.

Looking back to the previous years, the economy of the region grew at a snail’s pace. Figure 4 shows the trend of the GRDP growth rates from 2008 to 2012. In 2008, the GRDP grew at 2.0%; in 2009, it contracted by 1.8%, then bounced back by 2.0% in 2010, and grew by 2.1% in 2011. However, in 2012, the already crawling economy of the region turned for the worse when it contracted by negative 6.2%. In 2012, it was the only region in the country that encountered a negative growth.

The economic contraction of the region in 2012 is attributable to several factors.

Figure 4. GRDP Growth Rates, Philippines and Eastern Visayas: 2008-2012

Figure 5. GRDP Growth Rates by Major Sector: 2010-2012

Source: NSCBSource: NSCB

18

First, the GVA for the Industry Sector declined by 18.5% as a result of production slowdown of two major heavy industries located in the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel, Leyte. One of these — the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation, a major exporter of copper cathodes — was hit by an industrial fire in January 2012. This forced PASAR to stop operation for six months. The other company in the LIDE — the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation — had a decline in the production and export of fertilizer in 2012. With this twin reduction, the GVA for manufacturing had a whooping decrease of 40%.

As shown in Figure 5, another factor is the 3.0% decline in the AHFF sector, which is attributable to combined downscale in both production and farmgate prices of some major crops and fishery products.

Indeed the economy of the region is significantly affected by low agricultural production. Figure 6 reveals that in 2012, major crops produced in the region exhibited meager growths. These include the region’s primary crops such as coconut, which increased by only 0.1%, and palay by 1.1%. Worse, five of these commodities have even decreased, including sugarcane and abaca, livestock, poultry, and fisheries.

Figure 7 shows that geographically, agricultural production is lopsided to only one province — Leyte. The bulk of agricultural output, particularly for palay, corn, coconut, sugarcane and fishery, is concentrated in Leyte. Agricultural production in the three Samar provinces clearly have low production. This exacerbates the poverty situation in these provinces, considering that they have low production volume and the products are sold at low prices.

Eastern Visayas’ agricultural productivity, compared to that of selected regions that are performing well in agriculture and that of the Philippines, is relatively low. Based on 2012 GVA figures for agriculture, the region’s agricultural productivity is valued at only PhP68,798 per hectare. Whereas,

Figure 6. Production Growth Rate by Commodity: 2012

Source: BAS

Figure 7. Provincial Shares to Total Agricultural Production: 2012

Source: BAS

19

that of Davao is nearly double and that of Central Luzon is more or less triple. Compared to the national, the region’s productivity is just a little more than one-half.

The top five export products of the region in 2011 and 2012 are diammonium phosphate, refined and crude coconut oil, mineral/chemical fertilizers, and copper cathodes, topping the list. The value of all products has increased from 2011 to 2012 as shown in Figure 8.

2. High Underemployment Rate

A big part of the labor force in Region VIII is underemployed. Based on the April 2012 Labor Force Survey, employment rate in the region was 95%. This is actually the 6th highest in the country. However, out of this 95%, 24% are underemployed, which means that around one-fourth of the employed are working less than 40 hours a week and are still looking for work in order to earn enough for their needs. This partly explains why poverty incidence is high. Add to that the fact that 45.2% of the workers are employed in the agriculture sector, where productivity is very low. But looking at the GVA of the three major sectors, GVA for AHFF was the lowest at only PhP49.7 billion, and a far cry from the PhP88 billion of the industry sector, and PhP90.4 billion of the services sector.

This implies that while a big bulk of the workers are in agriculture, the agriculture sector contributes the least to the GRDP. Thus, labor productivity in the agriculture sector is placed at only PhP110.90 per worker per day. This average agricultural productivity is much lower than the current minimum wage of around PhP250. This indeed exacerbates poverty in the region.

3. Persistent Insurgency in Samar Island

Peace and security is a necessary condition to attract private investments and to sustain growth. In Region VIII, positive changes have been achieved along this line. Biliran and Leyte Islands have already been declared insurgency-free and therefore considered “development-ready.” In Samar Island, however, insurgency still persists in all of its three provinces, indicated by the incidence of encounters and ambuscades, accounting for 65% and 6%, respectively, of the total insurgency-related incidents.

This lingering problem has to be addressed for progress to take off in Samar Islands, especially because it is in these areas where poverty abounds. Also, Samar island is the third largest island in the country, hence if developed, will contribute significantly to the development of, not only Eastern Visayas, but of the whole country.

4. High Vulnerability to Disasters

Disasters are buckling down the region’s progress. Every time a disaster hits, the region backslides as investments and economic gains are destroyed by typhoons, landslides and floods. Although Eastern Visayas has a strategic location being in the mid-rib of the Philippines, on account of this very location and geological makeup, the region is also exposed to natural hazards.

Figure 8. Top Five Exports of Eastern Visayas: 2011-2012 (in million US dollars)

Source: NSCB

20

The region is traversed by the Philippine Fault, which cuts across the eastern sections of the Philippine archipelago. So three of its provinces — Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran– are earthquake-prone. The coastal section of Abuyog and the upland and mountainous portions of Ormoc City and Isabel — all in Leyte Province — as well as the hilly areas in Southern Leyte and Catbalogan City in Samar are most prone to landslides. Coastal and low-lying areas in five out of the six provinces of the region are tsunami-prone. The whole province of Eastern Samar is high-risk to tsunami because it faces the Philippine Trench and the Pacific Ocean. Low-lying and plain areas of the region are also prone to flooding and storm surge.

Some of the country’s worst mishaps happened in our region. These include the Guinsaugon Landslide that occurred on February 17, 2006 in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. The landslide covered the entire village of Guinsaugon. Accounted deaths totaled 112 while 973 persons were never seen again after the tragedy. Another devastating disaster was the Ormoc City Flashflood on November 5, 1991, which inundated almost the entire city in just a few seconds, claiming 8,000 human lives and rendering 50,000 homeless.

5. Low Human Capital

Poverty in the region may also be attributed to low human capital as indicated in education and health outcomes.

The basic education sector has a lackluster performance. Figure 9 reveals that a large portion of school-age population is not enrolled, especially in high school. Secondary participation rates for school year 2011-2012 are low. In the elementary level, provinces have more than 90% participation rates but the figures are still quite far from the ideal mark of 100%. Moreover, based on the cohort survival figures (Figure 10), a significant number of Grade 1 pupils were not able to reach Grade 6 in SY 2011-2012. Same picture can be seen in the secondary level where many first year high school students failed to reach fourth year.

Along health, maternal mortality rate in the region has been following a series of ups and downs over the last decade. Steep spikes and dips have been particularly observed over the period 2000-2006. From 2007 to 2011, however, the increments and decrements were not as sharp. For 2011, maternal deaths reduced by 13% from 92 per 100,000 livebirths in 2010 to 79 in 2011. However, this figure is still far from the MDG target of 56.5%.

As far as access to basic sanitary facilities is concerned, the region is in a sorry state. Access to toilets is still very low in all provinces, thus at the regional level, it can be seen that only around 65% of households have toilets. A similar picture could be seen for water, wherein only 71% of households have access to safe sources.

Figure 9. Participation Rate, Eastern Visayas: SY 2011-2012

Source: NSCB Source: NSCB

Figure 10. Cohort Survival Rate, Eastern Visayas: SY 2011-2012

21

State of Infrastructure DevelopmentTransportation. As of 2012, Eastern Visayas’ total road length of 2,444 kilometers of national roads is already 91.6% (2,239 km.) paved with the remaining 8.4% (205 km.) still unpaved. Major sections of paved roads are in poor condition, particularly the Buray-Taft-Borongan-Guiuan section in Eastern Samar. Also, the Oras-San Policarpo-Arteche-Lapinig-Gamay-Mapanas-Palapag-Laoang Road or the Samar Pacific Coastal Road is the missing road link in the Island of Samar.

The completion of the Eastern Nautical Highway route from Surigao-Leyte-Samar-Masbate linking the region to the other parts of the country with RORO facilities increased the number of domestic tourists coming to Eastern Visayas. This nautical highway likewise placed the region in the tourism map of the country and expanded the country’s nautical highways.

Total cargo volume in the region’s ports reached a total of 5.2 million metric tons. Domestic cargoes comprise 3.47 million metric tons or 66% while the exported and imported cargoes totaled 1.75 million metric tons or approximately 34%.

In terms of passenger traffic, the number of passengers totaled to 4.81 million. The highest number of passengers was registered in the port of Allen, Northern Samar, which catered to 1.6 million people or 34% of the total. This is evident of people coming to and from Manila via Northern Samar. It is followed by the port of Ormoc, which served 1.05 million passengers going to Cebu and vice-versa, representing 22%.

The region had ten airports but only eight were operational and only three operate commercial flights, namely: Tacloban, Calbayog and Catarman Airports. Before Yolanda, the Tacloban Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport was undergoing upgrading and improvement through the Tacloban Airport Redevelopment Project , with an estimated cost of P2.3 billion to be funded by the national government. In 2012 at the Tacloban Airport alone, aircraft and passenger movements increased by 2,415 (30%) and 246,663 (27%), respectively.

Irrigation. As of 2012, only 55.7% of the region’s potential irrigable area is irrigated. The province of Leyte has the largest irrigable area, owning 45% of the total area. The province of Biliran has the least irrigable area of only 5%. Flood Control. Prior to Yolanda, flood control structures in Eastern Visayas, except the one in Ormoc City, were inadequate in handling the unexpected increase in stormwater discharge, which resulted in massive flooding in both urban and rural areas such as Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Matag-ob, Catarman, among others. Several critical flood control projects had already been identified but stymied due to insufficiency of funds. This lack of funds in turn hinders right-of-way acquisition, flood forecasting, warning and monitoring systems, evacuation plan, hazard mapping, and watershed management, and operation and maintenance.

Power and Electrification. Eastern Visayas currently hosts five power plants with an aggregate installed capacity of 699.4 megawatts. The primary source of power supply in the region is the Leyte Geothermal Production Field in Tongonan. Small islands are powered by individual generating sets. Eleven electric cooperatives and one multi-purpose cooperative are distributing electricity throughout the region. The region has a total of 4,372 barangays, 4,371 of which are already energized. This shows an energization level of 99% as of end of 2012. All provinces of the region are already 100% energized, except for Samar with one remaining barangay unenergized. Household connection level is already 81%. This means that out of 816,000 households, 657,204 households are with electricity connection. Electrification at the sitio level, on the other hand, was at 71%. Communication/Telecommunications. Cellsites in Eastern Visayas already numbered 468 in 2012, which increased by 15.8% from 2011’s 404. The major providers in 2012 are Globe with 200 number of cellsites all over the region, followed by Smart with 191 number of cellsites and Digitel with 77 number of cellsites operating in the region. As of 2012, across provinces, Leyte registered the highest number of cellsites because most of the industrial services and economic activities of the region are concentrated in the province.

Figure 11. Vision and Development Thrusts of Eastern Visayas

22

Regional Development FrameworkIn cognizance of these potentials and challenges, a framework for the development of the region was laid down in the Eastern Visayas Updated Regional Development Plan (RDP) for 2014-2016.

Regional Vision

The RDP embodies the regional vision of becoming a tourism haven, an agri-business and ICT leader. Thus, the region’s key development thrusts are centered on agri-business, tourism and ICT (Figure 11).

In support to this vision and thrusts, three regional roadmaps had been prepared, namely the: Agri-business Development Roadmap, Tourism Development Roadmap, and ICT Roadmap. The Agri-business Roadmap in particular is put into flesh by the commodity roadmaps each prepared for the region’s seven priority commodities, namely: palay, coconut, abaca, banana (saba), seaweeds, mussels, and bangus.

Macroeconomic Targets

The region’s GRDP growth rates are projected to annually increase by the figures shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Projected GRDP Growth Rates: 2013-2016

Sector2013 2014 2015 2016

Low High Low High Low High Low HighAHFF 4.26 5.26 4.37 5.37 4.52 5.52 4.62 5.62Industry 4.45 5.45 4.49 5.49 4.52 5.52 4.57 5.57Services 4.46 5.46 4.53 5.53 4.59 5.59 4.63 5.63GRDP 4.39 5.39 4.46 5.46 4.54 5.54 4.61 5.61

Poverty incidence among population is also targeted to reduce from 45.2% in 2012 to 21.6% in 2016. Similarly, underemployment rate will decrease from 24% in 2012 to 20% in 2016. Meanwhile, annual employment of 140,000 will be generated for the period 2014-2016.

Phot

o Cr

edit:

ww

w.a

mer

ica.

alja

zeer

a.co

m

23

Chapter 3Eastern Visayas: immediately After YolandaOverall Impact to the RegionAffected Area. According to the DILG, a total of three cities and 61 municipalities were affected in Eastern Visayas (Figure 12).

Population. Based on the results of the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, led by the Office of Civil Defense, here in Region VIII, Yolanda resulted in casualties of 5,826 people dead, 29,303 injured, and 983 missing.The affected population comprises 4,208,000 persons.

Total Value of Damage, Losses, and Needs. The total damage and losses have been valued at PhP130.41 billion, 75% of which is total damage and 25% total losses. The impact was most heavily felt by the economic and social sectors, which together sustained nearly 86% of the total damage and losses. The overall resource needs for recovery and reconstruction has been estimated at PhP106.11 billion broken down into 31% for Social Sector, 29% for the Economic Sector, 27% for Infrastructure Sector, and the remaining 13% for cross-sectoral (Table 2).

Table 2. Total Damage and Losses and Total Needs per Major Sector

Source: Yolanda PDNA, OCD, May 2014 Note: Subsector values may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Sector Damage and Losses (PhP billion)

Percent to Total

Needs (PhP billion)

Percent to Total

Infrastructure Sector 7.05 7 16.93 27Economic Sector 41.82 40 17.72 29Social Sector 47.92 46 19.17 31Cross-sectoral 7.29 7 8.10 13Total 130.41 100 106.11 100

24

Figure 12. Affected Areas of Eastern Visayas

Leyte (Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Baybay City, Albuera, Abuyog, Alang-alang, Babatngon, Barugo, Bato, Burauen, Calubi-an, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, La Paz, Leyte, MacArthur, Mahaplag, Matag-ob, Matalom, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Palompon, Pastrana, San Isidro, San Miguel, Sta. Fe, Tabango, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, Tunga, and Villaba)Samar (Basey and Marabut)Eastern Samar (Balangiga, Balangkayan, Gen MacArthur, Giporlos, Guiuan, Hernani, Lawaan, Llorente, Maydolong, Mercedes, Quinapondan, and Salcedo)Biliran (Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, and Naval)

25

Infrastructure Sector

The total damage and losses of the infrastructure sector is a little over PhP7 billion and the total needs amount to roughly PhP17 billion (Table 3).

Road and Bridges. Results of the technical assessments of the DPWH revealed that damages includes national, secondary, and local roads. The local road network consists of barangay or village/farm-to-market roads, provincial roads, city roads, and municipal roads. The total value of damaged roads and bridges is PhP492.25 million and PhP21.65, respectively.

Transportation. Damage to seaports is estimated at PhP43.18 million. While the PPA ports were reported to be partially damaged and operational, the lighter structures of the municipal ports were severely damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, hence not operational. Port loss is estimated at PhP28.47 million.

Meanwhile, damage to airports is estimated at PhP143.43 million with considerable damage to Tacloban airport, which was inundated by the storm surge, and the airports in Ormoc and Guiuan.

Total reconstruction needs for affected seaports and airports is pegged at PhP3.62 billion.

Flood Control. In the region, 21 flood control structures were also damaged amounting to PhP160.07 million.

Government Buildings. Total damage to national government offices, including equipment and facilities, was estimated to be PhP857.42 million. Most of these structures are found in Tacloban City and Government Center, Palo, Leyte.

Power. Total damage to the electricity sector reached PhP541.73 million. Supply of electricity to the residential consumers and public buildings sustained most of the damage. Based on the RAY, throughout the Yolanda-affected areas of the Philippines, four electric cooperatives located in Leyte accounted for 52% of the total damage.

The Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant Complex, which supplies a third of the electricity demand in the Visayas, suffered substantial damage. The Energy Development Corporation postulates that it could take as long as a year before the plants return to full capacity. Moreover, the Unified Leyte lost PhP1 billion in revenues.

Table 3. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Infrastructure Sector (in PhP million)


SectorDamage and Losses

NeedsDamage Losses Total

Infrastructure Sector 4,998.70 2,049.25 7,047.97 16,926.90Roads 492.25 19.34 511.59 1,293.89Bridges 21.65 15.74 37.39 252.57Transportation 186.61 28.50 215.11 3,623.94

Flood Control, Sea Wall, Slope Protection 160.07 6.32 166.39 1,162.55Power 541.73 42.53 584.26 588.38Water 104.45 142.74 247.19 273.98Telecommunication Infrastructure 702.63 1,081.85 1,784.48 794.85Health Infrastructure 259.90 6.21 266.11 1,462.31Irrigation 96.56 23.63 120.19 114.95Education Infrastructure 1,543.08 594.41 2,137.49 5,067.12Mining Infrastructure - - -Tourism Infrastructure 32.36 2.22 34.58 49.56Government Infrastructure 857.42 85.77 943.19 2,242.81

26

Water Supply and Sanitation. According to the Local Water Utilities Administration, as reported in the RAY, the Leyte Metro Water District has 29,345 service connections in Tacloban and eight other towns. The rest of the affected area is serviced by small water districts with less than 3,000 connections or by LGUs operating their own water utilities.

In the Yolanda PDNA, total damage is estimated at PhP104.45 million, while total losses accounted for PhP142.74 million. The overall needs of this sector are estimated at PhP273.98 million.

Economic Sector

Per PDNA figures, the total damage and losses of the economic sector reached around PhP41.82 billion. However, the total needs amounted to only PhP17.72 billion (Table 4).

Agriculture and Fisheries. A total area of about 361,985 hectares of agricultural lands had been affected and a conservative estimate of 242,258 metric tons of crops had been lost. Principally damaged crops were: coconut (82% of damaged crop area); rice (8%); banana (5% ); and abaca (2%). In addition, losses were reported for livestock, agricultural equipment, post-production facilities and fishing vessels and equipment, as well as damage to irrigation systems and rural infrastructure.

Total damage to the agriculture sector reached PhP34.71 billion. This includes the PhP18.44 billion worth of production losses to crops, fisheries and livestock.

Fisheries have been heavily damaged, resulting in lower fish catches due to the impact of the typhoon on boats, wharves and equipment, and to reefs and coastal mangrove forests. A total of 19,902 boats were damaged (58 commercial boats; 10,585 motorized bancas; and 9,319 non-motorized boats). Similarly, in the aquaculture subsector, 2,417 fish cages, 890 seaweed farms, 52 fishpens, 21 hatcheries, and 75 aquasilviculture farms were damaged.

Based on the PDNA, the overall recovery and reconstruction needs for the agriculture sector are estimated at PhP17.36 billion.

Trade, Industry, and Services. The service and industry subsector in Eastern Visayas is comprised of retailing, trading, tourism, agriculture processing, manufacturing, banking, and a wide range of cottage and craft industries. The subsector is key to the region’s productive economic base, facilitating economic transactions, and forming part of the value and supply chain (including input supply, production, marketing, and services) and is the major source of employment.

According to the DTI, of the 18,362 firms in the region, 85% are micro and small enterprises while the medium and large enterprises compose 15%.

Estimates put the value of damaged assets of the sector to be PhP2.24 billion. Meanwhile, total losses amounted to PhP4.28 billion, wherein the losses.

The total recovery and reconstruction needs of the TIS subsector are at PhP325.50 million.

Table 4. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Economic Sector (in PhP million)




Economic Sector 18,811.94 23.006.04 41,818.34 17,715.05Agriculture 16,265.12 18,444.08 34,709.20 17,355.48Mining 80.17 263.43 343.60 -Tourism and Culture 15.12 21.33 36.45 34.07Industry, Trade and Services 2,241.52 4,277.20 6,728.73 325.50

27

Social Sector

The total damage and losses of the social sector reached PhP47.82 billion, but the total needs accounted for only PhP13.27 billion (Table 5).

Education. In terms of damage to educational facilities and other assets among the Yolanda-affected regions, Eastern Visayas bore the brunt. The total damage in the education sector is estimated at PhP2.31 billion. The DepEd has reported that 1,579 classrooms were fully damaged and 6,414 partially damaged in 801 public elementary and 122 public secondary schools in affected areas. The total losses in this sector amounted to PhP2.81 billion.

Total recovery and reconstruction needs amount to PhP5.54 billion across the three levels.

Health and Nutrition. The damage to health infrastructure and equipment totals to PhP302.52 million while total loss is PhP3.08 billion.

The total needs for reconstruction of the health sector is currently estimated at PhP354.89 million.

Housing and Shelter. A total of 475,678 houses were damaged, of which 234,196 were partially damaged and 241,482 were totally damaged. The cost for damaged houses is estimated at PhP39.27 billion. Total losses are estimated at PhP3.08 billion.

The full range of needs for the recovery and reconstruction of the housing sector is estimated to be PhP13.27 billion.

Cross-Sectoral Impact and Needs

Cross-cutting damage and losses is placed at PhP7.29 billion while total needs is estimated at PhP8.1 billion (Table 6).

Local Government and Community Infrastructure. The total damage to the local government sector is estimated as PhP3.20 billion. This includes damaged municipal and barangay halls, gymnasia and multi-purpose buildings, public markets, transport terminals, and fire stations. Coastal towns and cities affected by the storm surge experienced massive destruction. Meanwhile, total losses reached PhP1.34 billion. The LGUs need PhP4.32 billion for their reconstruction and recovery.

Environment. Typhoon Yolanda left behind massive dumps of debris and rubble. As cited in the RAY, the estimated cost of solid waste clearing for Tacloban City alone is PhP53 million.

Some of the major fishing zones of the country are found in Eastern Visayas. These include the Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, and the bays of Matarinao, Quinapondan, Oras, and San Policarpo. These fisheries rely on the integrity of the coral reefs. In the RAY, it is estimated that 1,555 km2 of coral reefs, valued at PhP570 million, were damaged. Tuna-producing municipalities in Eastern Samar and the seaweed-producing towns of Guiuan and Bato were severely affected. Similarly, the freshwater fishponds in Leyte, hatcheries in Guiuan, and the mariculture zones of Basey, Quinapondan, Tacloban, Carigara, Babatngon, Leyte, and Merida were heavily inundated.

Aside from damage to fish habitats, coastal land was modified during the storm surge. River and creek estuaries have been clogged with debris, mud, and silt.

Table 5. Damage, Losses and Needs for the Social Sector (in PhP million)




Social Sector 41,886.72 6,038.03 47,924.75 19,170.13Education 2,313.31 2,811.98 5,125.29 5,544.25Health 302.52 141.11 443.63 354.89Housing 39,270.89 3,084.94 42,355.83 13,270.99

The RAY also mentioned that damage to natural parks and protected areas occurred mostly in the areas of the Guiuan Protected Seascape and the Manicani Genetic Reserve (both located in Eastern Samar). Damaged mangroves, which are important nursery and feeding grounds for coastal and riverine fisheries, are located in many coastal areas. In Eastern Visayas, the DENR plans to restore mangrove and beach forests in about 380 km of coastline, particularly in Leyte.

Overall, the environment sector suffered PhP426.30 million in damage and it requires PhP3.78 billion for its reconstruction and recovery.

Macroeconomic Impact

The National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office VIII made the following assessment on the impact of Typhoon Yolanda on the regional economy. The assessment made is based on best available data and information submitted by Local Government Units, regional line agencies and state universities and colleges during the PDNA field validation visits. Total damage and losses incurred were taken into account in computing the impact on the Gross and Regional Domestic Product.

Impact to the Gross Regional Domestic Product

The massive adverse effect of the disaster particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, industry, trade and services sectors would again result to another contraction in the regional economy in 2013. Based on the PDNA estimates, total regional damage and losses is placed at PhP130.41 billion. With this disaster losses sustained by the region, the 2013 GRDP at current prices is estimated to decline by 9.8% from its 2012 actual GRDP and lower by 14.9% compared to its target level for 2013.

Table 7. Impact on 2013 GRDP

Indicator2013 Value in Current Prices

2013 Pre-disaster GRDP Target

Total DisasterLosses

Revised Post-Disaster GRDP ProjectionCurrent Prices Constant Prices

GRDP 239,850,541,893 33,899,896,467.93 205,950,645,425.07 116,937,681,935.65Source: 2013-2016 EV Regional Development Plan and EV PDNA Team

The growth in the AHFF sector is expected to decline in 2013 considering the decrease in production of major crops such as palay, coconut, corn and banana. In addition, earnings of families will decrease since a large portion of the population depends on this sector as their primary source of income. The damage and losses in the AHFF sector amounting to approximately PhP32.24 billion created a big dent on the regional economy given that this sector remains a major contributor.

Trade and industry sector have been greatly affected by the disaster. Most of the businesses (small, medium and large enterprises including processing and manufacturing plants) temporarily shut their operations because of damaged inventories and facilities exacerbated by looting. In effect, supply of goods was very limited thus high prices of basic commodities and construction materials were recorded.

Major manufacturing industries also suffered from the wrath of the typhoon. PASAR and PHILPHOS, two major processing and exporting establishments in the Leyte Industrial Development Estate and the biggest contributors of the Manufacturing sub-sector in terms of GVA, have sustained extensive damage and losses. As a result, production and exports of copper/ cathodes and fertilizers will again decline.

Table 6. Cross-sectoral Damage, Losses and Needs (in PhP million)




Cross-sectoral 2,900.72 4,386.37 7,287.08 8,098.26Local Government 2,474.41 1,340.82 3,815.23 4,318.35Environment 426.30 3,045.55 3,471.85 3,779.92

29

Moreover, the New Leyte Edible Oil Manufacturing Corporation, a coconut oil export manufacturing company in the region, sustained heavy damage causing its permanent closure. Aside from its negative impact on the Manufacturing sub-sector, all of its employees lost their jobs. This implies an increase in the unemployment level of the region.

Downstream economic effect on tourism is also expected. Tourism is one of the thriving industries and one of the major thrusts of the region’s economic development. However, several hotels and resort amenities have experienced massive physical destruction like The Oriental Hotel in Palo, Leyte, Caluwayan Beach Resort in Marabut, Samar, and Surf Camp in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Some of the hotel and lodging houses though that were not adversely affected experienced higher occupancy rates because of the influx of foreign and local volunteers.

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply sub-sector is expected to have a negative growth due to the damage wrought by the strong winds on the geothermal power generation facilities, and power transmission and distribution networks, as well as water production and distribution facilities. The income losses arising from the power and water supply disruption will certainly be substantial.

Air, land and water transport systems were likewise disrupted. Passengers were stranded and cargoes were stalled due to congestion at key ports (Tacloban, Ormoc, Maasin, Sogod, San Ricardo, Liloan, Allen). This further aggravated the high and volatile prices of commodities.

The Business Process Management (BPM) companies in the region, which posted the third highest growth among the sub-sectors in GVA on Services from 2011-2012 and the highest drawer of employment, were also significantly affected. Accudata and Expert Global Solutions (EGS) closed due to damaged infrastructure and power loss. While Accudata started to resume its operations, EGS will take some time to reopen due to severely damaged facilities. These two BPMs supported a total of 1,900 jobs in 2012.1 Aside from its negative impact on employment, a decline in GVA on Real Estate, Renting, and Other Business Activities (RERBA), which includes the ICT sector, is expected in 2013.

Different financial institutions (banks) as well as money changers and money transfer facilities closed for sometime after the typhoon. The peace and security threat and the absence of electricity were the major concerns in banking and financial operations. The temporary closure caused a decline of cash flow in the region, especially in the severely affected areas. The major impact on banks was the foregone income derived from interest from deposits and loans.

Conversely, Financial Intermediation sub-sector will grow due to the expected increase in the remittances from abroad for relief and recovery of relatives affected by the typhoon. The insurance industry will also pick up with the increasing awareness of the benefits of insurance against calamities.

The Construction sub-sector, both private and public constructions, is expected to rise because of the reconstruction of damaged roads, bridges, buildings and houses. The demand of construction materials and food supply for relief and recovery will likewise grow.

An increase in public expenditure is expected because of the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts to address the needs of the affected communities. Implementation of major infrastructure programs and projects will also contribute to the growth in government expenditure.

While the negative impact of the disaster in the region’s economic performance can be huge, its impact on the overall GDP could be rather moderate considering the region’s minimal share at the national level. Moreover, the disaster effect on the regional economy could add to the economic expansion in the long-term. Timely implementation of the country’s recovery and reconstruction program will reduce the economic and social impact of ST Yolanda. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief aid from international and local organizations has also been pouring to assist the disaster-stricken areas.

Poverty Incidence

The latest poverty statistics revealed that poverty incidence among population in Eastern Visayas remains high at 45.2% in 2012 (Table 8). Next to ARMM, Region VIII ranked second poorest among regions. All the three provinces of Samar Island have poverty incidence higher than the regional

1 2012 Eastern Visayas Regional Development Report

30

average and twice than that of the national figure. Eastern Samar and Northern Samar belong to Cluster 1 or the poorest cluster of provinces in the country.

The poor are the most vulnerable to natural disasters. The post-Yolanda poverty situation of the region is anticipated to worsen at least in the short term given the loss of livelihoods and employment in the affected areas. More families are also expected to be unable to provide for their basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Prices of basic commodities and poverty thresholds may also rise due to the disruption in the supply chain.

Based on initial estimates at the national level, there is strong likelihood that regional poverty incidence may surge in the immediate and short term to as much as 10.5 percentage points, with more than half of the population living in poverty.

The quantitative impact to the provincial poverty situation will be determined in the respective province’s post-disaster needs assessment. However, qualitatively, the magnitude and proportion of poor population and families can be expected to swell in Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte as wellas Tacloban City, which are the hardest hit areas.

Table 8. Impact of Yolanda on Poverty Incidence Among Population2

Region/Province

2012 Poverty Incidence

(in %)

2012 Magnitude

of PoorPopulation

Number ofMunicipalities

Affected

Increase inPoverty Due to Yolanda (in %agepoints)

ProjectedPoverty

Incidenceafter Yolanda

(in %)Eastern Visayas 45.2 1,882,934 63 10.54 55.74

Leyte 39.2 713,063 38Southern Leyte 43.3 174,368 1Biliran 27.5 45,762 6Samar 50.0 361,045 6Eastern Samar 63.7 279,607 12Northern Samar 50.2 309,089

Source: PSA-NSO VIII

Labor and Employment

Pre-disaster Situation

The July 2013 Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed that Eastern Visayas had a labor force of around 1.914 million with a participation rate of 63.5% (Table 9). Employment rate is recorded at 95.0% or around 1.818 million employed individuals. Underemployment, however, continues to be relatively high at 29% affecting some 527 thousand individuals.

Table 9. Eastern Visayas Labor and Employment: July 2013

Percent Number(in thousands)

Household Population 15 Years Old and Over 3,010Labor Force Participation Rate 63.6 1,914Employment Rate 95.0 1,818Unemployment Rate 5.0 95Underemployment Rate 29.0 527

Source: PSA-NSO VIII, July 2013 LFS

A detailed picture of the total employed persons in the region reveals that 48.1% are wage and salary workers, while an estimated 51.1% are either self-employed, employers or unpaid family workers.

2 Adopted from the ADB estimates used in RAY. Impact on provincial poverty incidence will be estimated in the provincial PDNA.

31

Among the three major groups, the AHFF sector absorbed the bulk of employed persons in the region at 44%, while the industry sector accounted for 28.5%, and services sector for 27.5%.

Post-Disaster Assessment

Based on the rapid assessment of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office VIII, there were around 3,210 registered workers who were affected by the disaster involving 546 establishments belonging in the industry and services sectors (Table 10). The bulk of affected workers in the region is found in Leyte comprising 60.5% (1,943 workers) and employed in distributorship and manufacturing businesses.

Termination of employees due to shutdown of business establishments and/or retrenchment is one of the bases for reporting the number of affected workers. The displacement and loss of income among the affected workers may lead to some emotional depression and low self-esteem. This, in turn, also affected the other family members, particularly the children who are largely dependent on their parents/adult family members for survival.

Table 10. Number of Affected Workers in Industry and Services by City/ProvinceProvince/City No. of Affected Workers

Leyte 1,943Tacloban City 1,267Eastern Samar 0Biliran 0Samar 0Total 3,210

Source: DOLE VIII PDNA Report

On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture VIII’s assessment recorded 1.28 million affected farmers and fisherfolks in the region. Leyte comprised the largest number of affected workers in the AHFF at 712,621 individuals (Table 11).

Table 11. Number of Affected Workers in AHFF by ProvinceProvince/City No. of Affected Workers

Leyte 712,621Eastern Samar 304,303Samar 162,592Biliran 78,677Southern Leyte 27,893Northern Samar 1,390Total 1,287,479

Source: DA VIII PDNA Report

Overall, almost 99% of the affected workers in the region are found in the AHFF sector whose main sources of income are agricultural products such as farm crops, high value crops, annimal production, and fish production. ST Yolanda devastated more than 1.01 million hectares of agricultural lands planted with major crops such as rice, corn, coconut, vegetables, fruit crops, banana, and abaca, as well as livestock and fish stocks.

Workers and businesses in the informal sector were also badly affected, particularly those who were employed and engaged in small sari-sari stores, home-based or small scale food processing and handicrafts, backyard farming, and livestock raising.

However, workers in the public sector (government employees) are not much affected as since their employment continued after the disaster.

Government Revenues

The region’s total revenue collections in the fourth quarter of 2013 were adversely affected by the calamity. Collection of business, income and other taxes dropped in the aftermath of the typhoon.

32

Based on the report of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the actual revenue collections decreased from PhP1.35 billion in the third quarter of 2013 to PhP881 million in the fourth quarter of the same year (Table 12). This is lower by 34.8% from the previous quarter and a reduction of 41.7% from the 2013 fourth quarter’s goal collection of PhP1.51 billion.

Table 12. Region VIII 2013 3rd and 4th Quarter Revenue Collection (in PhP)

Region VIIIActual Collection

Q3 2013 Q4 2013 % DecreaseBusiness Tax 394,627,529.35 230,662,158.66 -41.5Income Tax 871,682,094.75 613,630,020.92 -29.6Other Taxes 84,743,598.19 36,585,556.44 -56.8Total 1,351,053,222.29 880,887,736.02 -34.8

Source: BIR – RR14

Across provinces in the region, revenue collection also dropped, except for Leyte, which recorded a 20% increase from the third to the fourth quarter of 2013.3 In Tacloban City, the region’s largest urban center and one of the hardest hit areas, revenue collection significantly decreased from PhP245 million in the third quarter to just PhP36 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.4

The reduction in tax revenues can be attributed to production and income losses of the productive sectors. In addition, the services, trade and industry sectors have incurred foregone income as an immediate result from the disaster and the looting incidents. Business establishments in the region were damaged causing temporary closure and unemployment of its workers. Though a few business establishments were able to re-open a month after the typhoon, the same was done on shorter operating hours due to imposition of curfew and absence of power supply. Likewise, government operations were also disrupted causing the delay in payment of government employees’ income taxes. But this can be counterbalanced in the succeeding months after the typhoon.

However, on a year-on-year basis, the region’s total revenue collections for 2013 managed to achieve a positive growth of 5.72% from 2012 (Table 13). The intensified tax collection efforts undertaken during the early part of 2013 have abated the reduced tax collections for the last quarter of the year. While the disaster effect on the overall 2013 revenue collection was surmounted, tax collections in the succeeding months and years may be adversely affected as the resumption of operations by business establishments might be delayed and business losses and tax relief and holidays are sought. Public and private spending for reconstruction and rehabilitation may somehow offset the revenue losses.

Table 13. Region VIII Annual Revenue Collections: 2011-2013 (in PhP)

RegionActual Collection (in Million Pesos)

2011 2012 2013Region VIII 3,791.88 4,747.74 5,019.27*

Source: www.bir.gov.ph*Sum of Region VIII 2013 First Semester, 3rd and 4th Quarter Actual Revenue CollectionsNote: Details may not add up to their respective totals due to rounding.

In the aforecited tax collection analysis, the following should be noted though: (a) only income tax collections before and after the typhoon are included; and (b) most of the severely affected families are from the lowest income deciles whose sources of livelihood belonged to the informal sector with very minimal tax compliance.

Prices

The region’s average inflation rose from 3.0% in 2012 to 4.3% in 2013 (Table 14). This rate is still within the government’s 3.0-5.0% inflation target for 2013. The increase is due to the observed higher prices of basic commodities such as oils and fats and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery as well as increase in prices of transport services.

3 PSA-NSCB 2013 3rd and 4th Quarter Statwatch4 PSA-NSCB 2013 3rd and 4th Quarter Statwatch

33

Eastern Visayas recorded the highest year-on-year regional inflation for 2013, at 4.3% in December in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda (Table 14). The purchasing power of peso

During that period, prices of commodities increased in all provinces. Highest inflation rate among the provinces in December 2013 was recorded in Samar at 14.0%, followed by Eastern Samar and Biliran at 9.2% and 8.5%, respectively. Price increase in these areas is attributed to the limited supply of goods and services in the devastated areas, thus forcing the people to move into the proximate capital towns and cities (e.g. Catbalogan and Maasin) to purchase basic goods and services. The rest of the provinces had less than 6.1% price increase.

Table 14. Consumer Price Index, Inflation Rate, and Purchasing Power of Peso in Region VIII:2012-2013

Year CPI Inflation Rate Purchasing Power of Peso

2011 129.8 4.5 0.772012 133.7 3.0 0.752013 139.5 4.3 0.72


Supply further became scarcer due to the congestion in the major ports such as Matnog and Lipata, which accommodated and prioritized the transport of relief goods for the victims of the typhoon. The congestion also contributed to the delayed delivery of consumer goods to non-affected areas.

From October 2013 to November 2013, a month after Supertyphoon Yolanda hit the region, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, clothing and footwear, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, furnishing, household equipment, recreation and culture and restaurant, and miscellaneous goods and services recorded a reduction in their month-on-month inflation rates due to the low demand for basic commodities (Table 15). The low demand is explained by the continued distribution of relief goods in the disaster-inflicted areas.

However, starting from November 2013 to December 2013, based on the month-on-month inflation rate, all commodities recorded an abrupt increase in prices with the high demand and low supply of said basic commodities (such as food, construction materials and gas).

Continued increase in prices of construction materials as well as household and office furniture and fixtures are expected in the ensuing months with the ongoing reconstruction of damaged structures in the affected areas.

Table 15. Month-on-Month Regional Inflation by Commodity Group in Eastern Visayas: October,November and December 2013, (2006=100)

Commodity Group2013

October November DecemberAll Items 0.4 0.4 1.8Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages 0.5 0.5 2.6Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 0.3 -0.3 2.9Clothing and Footwear 0.6 0.3 0.8Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels

1.0 0.2 1.3

Furnishing, Household Equipment, and Routine House Maintenance

0.7 0.6 0.5

Health 0.3 0.3 0.6Transport 0.0 0.0 0.5Communication 0.0 0.0 0.0Recreation and Culture 0.2 0.0 0.2Education 0.0 0.0 0.0Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services

0.1 0.0 0.7


Looting:side-effect of yolandaAfter Tacloban City was heavily devastated by Typhoon Yolanda, the city became a vast wasteland where thousands were left homeless and without food, water, clothes, and other basic neccessities. National highways and roads were not passable for several days, delaying the arrival and distribution of relief goods.

Such a situation led to multitudes of people suffering from starvation and thirst. As a consequence, the whole city and certain parts of adjoining towns of Palo and Tanauan were found in extremely dire circumstances where there was chaos and law and order became totally absent. This erupted when people panicked to secure food, water, clothes, and temporary shelter. The so-called survival instint was made manifest by herds of people ransacking and looting almost all stores and warehouses in the city.

Based on records, looting incidents occurred right after the onslaught of Yolanda up to several days after. Observations have it that not all the looters were survivors from Tacloban. Some of them came from less affected areas as far as Samar, who took advantage of the situation in order to gain. Trucks and vans were reported to have been loaded with loots from commercial establishments including appliances and motorcycles. This massive looting incident exacerbated the already pathetic condition after the onslaught of Yolanda. As business owners suffered from the destruction of their stores and shops and facilities, and lost all their stocks, they became hard-put in reopening their respective businesses. It compromised nearly the entire business sector of Tacloban City. As a consequence, trading and service delivery had been jeopardized.

Phot

o Cr

edit:

Edw

in M

alas

ig/R

appl

er

Phot

o Cr

edit:

DA

VIII

Phot

o Cr

edit:

ww

w.th

etim

es.c

om

35

Chapter 4Bouncing Back from YolandaThis chapter presents the rehabilitation and recovery framework for the region after the devastation wrought by Yolanda. It captures the entire gamut of interventions necessary to initially help the region get back to its feet, and eventually to rebuild itself better and safer.

In here are the proposed rehabilitation and recovery programs, projects and activities (PPAs) for each of the major sectors and sub-sectors of the region. Most of these are committed to be undertaken mainly by the government, both national and local, while some need private sector support.

The interventions come in two sets. The first one is a list of priority PPAs that should be given utmost attention and corresponding resources in terms of time, manpower and budget. These are deemed priority on the basis of their impact to regional recovery and development and geographic scope (i.e., regional or interprovincial). These include restoration of basic infrastructure facilities and utilities, governance, and the recovery of priority industries along agri-business, tourism and ICT – the three key thrusts embodied in the Updated Regional Development Plan 2014-2016. Despite Yolanda, it is believed that the region’s potentials are still within these three sectors. The second set is a list of all PPAs. However, for the sake of conciseness of the main Plan document, the lists provided here are just generic. Detailed information on location, target beneficiaries, lead implementing agency, budget for specific PPAs, and fund sources can be found in the companion document, Eastern Visayas Yolanda Investment Program.

Also, included in this document is a list of policy recommendations that are intended to manage risks and remove bottlenecks in implementation. These policy recommendations include those that seek to amend existing policies that are no longer relevant, especially in disaster and post-disaster times, as well as those that seek to formulate new policies needed for more efficient development processes.

As a guide to all actions, the principles of rehabilitation and recovery efforts are also given in the beginning of this chapter.

36

PrinciplesConsistent with the RAY, the principles to be followed in SULHOG are based on lessons learned from experiences on previous disasters, both in and out of the country.

Basic Guiding Principle: Triple B – Build Back Better

Core Principles:

1. Strong multi-level and multi-sectoral coordination between and among national government line agencies, local government units, international and local donors, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Such coordination will be based on common rehabilitation and recovery (R&R) goals with standards set by the government, which will also be responsible for managing risks and addressing bottlenecks in implementation.

2. Partnering with the private sector in opening up supply chains, committing production, and

providing assistance in terms of logistics

3. Implementation shall be the primary responsibility of the government, both by the local government and the national government agencies. Coordination between the two should also be ascertained in all R&R efforts.

4. LGU implementation of R&R interventions shall be supported with capacity development to ensure that these are tailor-fit to local conditions and promotes community participation, ownership and sustainability.

5. R&R should pursue inclusiveness and sustainable livelihood so as to address poverty.

6. Implementation at both levels should be adapted to government systems, wherein ways to fast-track operations while managing risks and ensuring transparency and accountability shall be devised.

7. A robust monitoring and evaluation system will be established to track and assess gains and headways as well as failures and the underlying factors for the purpose of introducing remedial solutions.

8. Accountability shall be ascertained by using enhanced audit and establishing a grievance and redress system.

9. Outsourcing and use of channels with the strongest incentives for funds utilization shall be explored to speed-up R&R.

10. Gender rights shall be protected and gender equality promoted in all R&R efforts.

37

Pathway to RecoveryDisaster Impact Critical Immediate Actions Short-/Medium-term ActionsHouses partially or totally damaged

Housing kits, temporary housing

Construct permanent housing for targeted groups

Public infrastructure damaged Rebuild/repair damaged roads, bridges, airports, ports, utilities with affordable disaster resilient standards

Complete rebuilding

Education and health services suspended

Rebuild/repair and re-equip schools, clinic, health station; deploy incremental staff

Restore services to pre-disaster level with affordable disaster resilient standards

Rural production systems and value chains interrupted

Provision of inputs, assets; cash grants for clearing

Rehabilitate irrigation; replant coconuts; rebuild public storage facilities; re-establish fisheries

Loss of income-earning opportunities

Short-term cash-for-work programs; livelihood/training programs

Transition to labor market programs, skills development Social protection programs

Destruction of private assets Increase financial sector liquidity (e.g., repayment “holidays”; incentives to microfinance institutions)

Transition back to market-based solutions

Source: Reconstruction Assistance to Yolanda (RAY)

Priority InterventionsPermanent housing for those living in the hazard areas. These should be accompanied with livelihood options and social services. Urgent actions needed here would include identification of communities to be relocated, relocation sites, land acquisition and development.

Relocation of establishments in danger zones to include offices, stores/shops and other business establishments, schools, hospitals/health centers, among other public structures to safe grounds.

Employment and livelihood. Jobs and alternative means of livelihood should be generated to provide source of income to the many displaced individuals. These should be made available to catch up with the eventual termination of the relief phase and the cash-for-work and emergency employment schemes. Priority attention should be given to the farmers and fisherfolks as they are the most affected sectors. Coconut-dependent farmers must be given opportunities to shift from coconut to other crops and commodities. Crop diversification or multi-cropping should be strongly promoted.

Rehabilitation of priority crops and commodities in agriculture and fisheries to include palay, coconut, abaca, banana, bangus, seaweeds, and mussels as identified in the Regional Agri-business Development Roadmap. However, other potential crops and commodities should also be identified and explored for development.

Support to MSMEs. The contribution of micro, small and medium enterprises should be scaled up to allow the region’s economy to veer from too much dependence on the heavy industries located in the LIDE. The revival/enhancement of these MSMEs is expected to prop up the manufacturing sub-sector and its contribution to the GRDP, and generate jobs as well.

Support to tourism. Eastern Visayas as a worthwhile tourism destination by virtue of its historical and natural assets should be worked upon immediately. This requires restoration of damaged tourism sites and the tourism value chain. The large visitors’ influx to the region after Yolanda could be taken as an opportunity to promote tourism for the region.

Support to ICT. Aside from the basic necessity of providing communication lines, the ICT sector should be revived since it hosts the BPMO as potential employment generator. This would entail restoration/improvement of digital infrastructure, human resource development, and investment

38

promotion to entice the pre-Yolanda locators to come back and the prospective investors to locate in the already existing 6.8-hectare Leyte ICT Park and the 22-hectare Leyte Mikyu Economic Zone in Pawing, Palo, Leyte.

Reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. All of the aforementioned priority interventions will encounter implementation difficulties if the infrastructure sector will not be given primary attention. Actions should encompass repair/rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure facilities/utilities and construction of new ones. These include roads and bridges, airports and seaports, fish ports, warehouses, public markets, schools and hospitals/health centers, and the like.

Restoration of governance. The national and local government are the prime movers of all rehabilitation and recovery efforts. If immobilized due to the devastating effects of Yolanda on their office buildings, equipment and facilities, they cannot function effectively and efficiently. Thus, priority should also be given to the repair/rehabilitation of destroyed government offices, procurement of vehicles, computers and other equipment and facilities, and beefing up of manpower.

Complete List of All InterventionsInfrastructure Sector

Strategies

1. Strict implementation of policy standards on transport infrastructure projects2. Strict monitoring/supervision during construction period to ensure that the project design

standard shall be followed3. Roads, bridges, flood control and other transport infrastructure must undergo regular

maintenance4. Disaster-resilient design options for roads, bridges and flood control structures that can

withstand super typhoons as well as resist high-magnitude earthquakes and severe flooding5. Increasing Equivalent Maintenance per Kilometer (EMK)6. Procurement of additional equipment in each engineering district such as backhoe, loader,

dump trucks and other service vehicles7. Capability building on disaster risk reduction of control group in regional/district offices

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities by Sub-sector

Transportation

1. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged roads and bridges2. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of airports and seaports

Flood Control

Repair/rehabilitation of flood control structures including drainage systems, seawalls

Lifeline Facilities/Utilities

Power

1. Deployment of line crews by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to expedite restoration efforts in the hardest hit areas

2. Conduct training of (local) linemen3. Total reconstruction of substations, sub-transmission lines and distribution lines 4. Grant of PhP3.929 billion subsidy of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to

Yolanda-affected electric cooperatives • The bulk of the subsidy will go to Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Leyeco V); Don Orestes

Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORELCO/LEYECO I); Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO II); Leyte III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO III); and Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ESAMELCO) which are in need of totally reconstructing their distribution lines.

39

Water

1. Improvement of open drainage system2. Development of filtration plant3. Development of alternate power system (Hydro-Electric/Solar Power)4. Reforestation (Restoration of Watershed Area)5. Reconstruction of warehouse/storage building6. Construction of laboratory house and facilities7. Repair/rehabilitation of damaged pipeline8. Construction of pipeline bridge for transmission lines9. Improvement of retaining walls10. Reconstruction of settling basin perimeter11. Installation of two-way radio

Communication/Telecommunications

1. Priority importation of equipment for the reconstruction of the temporary set-up of the CMTS network, broadcast network, CATV system, and outside plant facilities of BTS

2. Restoration of cellular mobile telephone and internet/data services in all affected areas 3. Formulation of a policy on mandatory insurance coverage of all telecommunications and

broadcast facilities (violation thereof is will result to revocation of issued franchises and authorizations)

4. Subsidy for the importation of equipment and accessories needed in the TELCOs and broadcast industry

5. Tax breaks (customs duties and other levies)6. Recapitalization of operating expenses7. Making supplies available supplies in the local market8. Extension of financial aid to telecom and broadcast sector with long term payment and low

interest rate 9. Passage of House Bill 353 compelling telecommunication companies to send free mobile

alert warnings of impending natural and manmade disasters (alerts to consist of updated information from concerned agencies to be sent directly to mobile phone subscribers located near and within the affected areas).

10. Issuance by the National Telecommunications Commission for a one-year suspension of the imposition of surcharge in filing of renewal of stakeholders’ permits. Also, an MC for the registration of illegally own two way radio units.

11. LGU should pass an ordinance in relation to the dismantling of destroyed cables and damaged post of telecommunication companies and CATV providers in their respective area of jurisdiction.

Irrigation

1. Repair/rehabilitation of damaged national and communal irrigation systems• Including dams, canals and canal structures, and building

2. Repair/rehabilitation of the Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP)• Including dams, canals and canal structures, and building

3. Canal clearing operations (Cash-for-work)

Social Infrastructure

1. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged school buildings2. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged hospital, rural health units and barangay

health stations

40

Economic SectorAgriculture

Strategies

1. Restoration of farming communities2. Improvements in agriculture and fisheries productivity3. Creation of enabling policies/environment4. Improvements in social/institutional competence5. Encouraging and supporting diversified agriculture and fisheries production systems to

increase resilience, enhance food security and nutrition at the household level while also generating a higher household income

The following is the complete set of proposed programs, projects and activities that will build back better the agricultural landscape of Eastern Visayas:

General Interventions

1. Establishment of the Sustainable Livelihood Enterprise Development in cluster areas• Coconut & Coco-based Products Enterprises• Banana (Musa balbisiana) Production Enterprise• Abaca Production Enterprise• Hybrid Rice Production Enterprise• Organic Vegetable Production Enterprise• Green Corn & Feed Grain Enterprise• Jackfruit Production & Processing Enterprise• Native Chicken/Duck-Balut/Carabao/Cattle/Goat/Sheep Production Enterprises• Native Chicken/Dairy Goat Production Enterprises• Aquaculture/Bangus/Seaweeds Livelihood Enterprises• Bio-organic Fertilizer Production Enterprise• Mushroom Production Enterprise

2. Rootcrops Production Enterprises Clearing operations3. Intercropping/diversification of crops4. Cash cropping5. Provision of tractors, farm tools, boats, etc.6. Fuel subsidy for tractors and other farm machineries7. Provision of farm implements, e.g., seeds, fingerlings, seedlings, fertilizers, among others8. Restocking of livestock9. Conduct of technical trainings and establishment of techno-demos 10. Rehabilitation of infrastructure and post-harvest facilities11. Housing relocation for marginal fisherfolks affected by the 40-meter no-build zone

• Relocation site to be accompanied with alternative/supplemental livelihood and social services

• Construction of fisherfolks’ huts but not as housing units for fishing families12. Insurance premiums for emergency employment13. Conduct capacity development activities for farmers and fisherfolk associations/cooperatives

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities by Crop/Commodity

Palay

Component A: Strategic Production Zone 1. Fuel subsidy for land preparation 2. Cash-for-work for irrigation canal clearing 3. Farm tools distribution 4. Seeds/fertlizer subsidy (Provision of hybrid seeds, CS, or urea) 5. Farm machineries servicing (Provision of subsidy for farm machinery rental for land

preparation) 6. Resiliency projects/initiatives (Provision of Grain Super Rice)

41

7. Provision of full premium crop insurance subsidy 8. Repair of government facilities Component B: Strategic Production Zone 1. Rehabilitation of warehouses and milling facilities 2. Provision of 5-MT capacity hermetic cocoons to seed growers

Corn

Component A: Strategic Production Zone 1. Fuel subsidy for land preparation 2. Cash-for-work for land preparation and planting

Seeds/fertlizer subsidy (Provision of seeds, corn and cassava planting materials and/or fertilizer)

3. Technical training on corn and cassava production 4. Provision of 90HP farm tractor Component B: Strategic Production Zone 1. Rehab of village-type dryers 2. Distribution of post-harvest facilities e.g. mobile corn mill, cassava granulator cum shredder,

cassava grater

Abaca

1. Cash-for-work (Clearing of fallen shades trees and Re-planting of abaca farms) 2. Provision of tissue cultured abaca planting materials 3. Provision of farm tools 4. Establishment of open-type high-density nursery 5. Expansion of the Diagnostic and Abaca Tissue Culture Lab 6. Fabrication and installation of collapsible abaca nursery 7. Repair of damaged transformer at the Abaca Tissue Culture Lab 8. Roof repair of the Abaca Protected Nursery 9. Riprap construction of the eroded portion of the Abaca Tissue Culture Lab

Coconut

1. Coconut Shelter Assistance Project (Deployment of chain saws and Provision of fuel and wages for the chain operators and assistants)

2. Immediate release of Participatory Coconut Planting Program (PCPP) Phase II checks 3. Proper disposal of coconut debris using charcoal kiln and briquetting machine 4. Cash cropping (Cash-for-work and Provision of seeds and planting materials for short

gestation crops e.g. corn, vegetables, rootcrops, etc.) 5. Incentive-based coconut crown sanitation 6. Recommend to Pres. Aquino the issuance of an EO mandating the Coconut Industry

Investment Fund (CIIF) Foundation to grant free tertiary education to children of Yolanda-affected coconut farmers

7. Replanting of totally damaged trees

Sugarcane1

1. Income/food for sugar farm workers• Cash-for-work program • Government and other institutions continue relief operations until milling operation

starts.• Government should impose price control on rice and other basic food commodities. NFA

should sell sufficient quantity of rice at pre-Yolanda prices.• For any government related projects, contractor should hire local unskilled labor.

2. Repair of Farm Workers’ Houses• Allocate government/private funds to help farmers rebuild their houses. Funding may

be sourced from calamity rehabilitation fund or any grant from other private or foreign organizations.

• Impose price freeze on all construction materials and other related hardware

1 Adapted from the Ormoc-Kananga Mill District Development Foundation (MDCCI), Inc. Proposal

42

3. Financial Help for Farmers• Outright financial assistance or grant to farmers by tapping grants from donor countries

and other institutions• Soft loan to farmers with a minimal service fee. Funding may be sourced from ACEF,

PRDP Fund, AGRI-AGRA Fund and other GFIs• Amnesty on delinquent real property taxes due on agricultural lands to be granted by

LGUs.• Suspension of penalties and surcharges on late tax payments including suspension of tax

audits by the BIR and LGUs• Condonation of interest charges on loans availed from government owned banks and

other financial institutions• Condonation of interest charges applied on fertilizer assistance program (HISUMCO)• Repair/replacement of damaged/lost spare parts, fertilizer, warehouse, motorpool,

equipment, vehicles and transloading stations• Duty-free importation of farm equipment, fertilizer, vehicles, parts and other related farm

& mill equipment and machineries • Exemption from the coverage of E-VAT of all purchases of spare parts, fertilizer and

chemicals, warehouse and motorpool materials, farm equipment and vehicles and materials for the repair of transloading stations during the rehabilitation and rebuilding period in Yolanda-devastated areas

• Strict monitoring of prices of commodities and other construction materials and prevention of hoarding by unscrupulous businessmen (DTI)

• Priority to shipment and continued waiving of port and arrastre charges of commodities and other materials from any ports of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Yolanda-devastated areas (PPA)

4. Repair of Farm-to-Mill Roads and Bridges• Immediate meeting between the LGUs and national government agencies in order to

assign responsibility of projects and assignment of funding whether from local calamity fund or national rehabilitation fund

• Immediate repair of farm-to-mill roads in order to make these passable by hauling trucks in time for the start of milling period

• Immediate repair of bridges from farm-to-mill in order to make these passable by hauling trucks in time for the start of milling period

• Immediate restoration of power lines to the farms• Continuing improvement and upgrading to concrete pavement of farm-to-mill roads

during the medium and long terms• Continuing improvement and upgrading of bailey bridges to RCDG Model during the

medium and long terms• Continuing improvement and upgrading of drainage system of farm-to-mill roads and

possible donation of all-terrain wheel type excavator to MDDC5. Repair of MDDC Facilities, Machineries and Nursery Stations

• Repair of office building• Purchase of office equipment to replace damaged units• Possible donation of all-terrain wheel type excavator to MDDC• Repair of Greenhouse, Seedling Shed, Trichogramma Laboratory, and Motorpool Building• Replacement of damaged tractor parts and other consumables• Replacement of damaged fertilizers• Replacement of Mini-Weather Stations• Rehabilitation and expansion of nurseries to address the expected shortfall of planting

materials• Fund sourcing from the Calamity Fund, Sugar-ACEF Funds, PHILSURIN, and SRA or from

local and foreign donors.6. Early Start of Milling

• Immediate restoration of power lines affecting the mill including, but not limited to, plant site transmission lines to resume operations (LEYECO V)

• Priority of shipment of all materials, spare parts and other consumables for the repair, restoration and reconstruction of all affected facilities of the sugar mill (NGCP, Leyeco V, PPA)

• Farm Modernization and Mechanization Program, including research and development program

• Duty-free importation of farm equipment and implements• Ensuring quality of locally manufactured farm equipment and implements (Bureau of

Standards)

43

• Financial assistance through easy-term loans for the acquisition of farm equipment and implements

• Soil Management Program, Bio-Organic Fertilizer Program and Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Setting up of state-of-the-art Soils and Leaf Tissue Analysis Laboratory• Research, Development and Implementation of Bio-Organic Fertilizer Program• Setting-up of a GIS Program for the Sugar Industry of Region VIII and corresponding

training • Fund sourcing from AFMA, DOST, DA, PRDP Funds, local and foreign grants and

Rehabilitation and Calamity Fund

High-Value Crops

1. Establishment of Gulayan sa Paaralan2. Establishment of organic fertilizer production facility3. Establishment/rehabilitation of production facilities4. Provision of farm implements

Livestock

1. Distribution of veterinary paraphernalia2. Provision of drugs and biologics3. Provision of construction materials, incubators, hogwires, feed supplements/suttings, etc.4. Animal re-stocking5. Breeder stock infusion for production centers6. Establishment/Strengthening of livestock organizations7. Infusion of native animals in production centers

Poultry2

Immediate1. Extension of BIR deadline of filing of damage report from 45 days to 6 months2. Suspension of collection of the withholding taxes for 1 year 3. Staggered payment of business permit fees, real property taxes, and ECF within one year

since there is no exemption allowed4. Immediate restoration of electricity through:

• Downloading of NEA funds (subsidy) to the electric coops (include the poultry industry as a priority for reconnection)

• Assistance from other electric cooperatives in terms of manpower and equipment to augment the resources of the region’s local electric cooperatives

• Staggered payment of past dues and reconnection fees 5. Provision by government of water pumps to poultry growers 6. Extension of financial assistance in the form of loans

• Tripartite agreement among the bank, contract grower, and integrator in place of collateral

• “Easy” financial packages such as, but not limited to, DTI’s collateral-free 5% interest loan7. Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) of DA

• Create a national composite team to monitor ACEF projects• Redesign ACEF to downgrade objectives from raising competitiveness to rehabilitating

agriculture so as to enable Yolanda-affected agriculture players to avail of project funds 8. Deployment of police personnel in poultry areas to increase security9. Price monitoring/regulate on poultry equipment10. Communication to growers in other regions of the commitment of local growers to restart

their business in order to sustain/increase in market share of the region’s poultry industry11. Insurance for poultry industry players

• Request subsidy for premiums of insurance for poultry industry players • Availment of insurance from PCIC

Long termConduct study on the feasibility of establishing a feed production facility in the region

2 Output of the Regional Poultry Industry Workshop held on Janruary 15, 2014

44

Fisheries

Immediate 1. Inventory of fisherfolk and assessment of fisheries damage 2. Distribution of food packs 3. AHON Program (Provision of materials for the repair of fishing boats (marine plywood,

copper nails, marine epoxy and paint); Cash-for-work4. Replacement of engine and fishing gears5. Training and provision of fiberglass boats for fisherfolk with lost/ totally damaged boats 6. Rehabilitation of cages in Mariculture Parks 7. Rehabilitation of tilapia cages in Lake Bito, McArthur, Leyte 8. Rehabilitation of women-related livelihood activities 9. Assessment of ecological habitats (mangrove, coral reefs and seagrass beds)10. Rehabilitation of fish sanctuaries11. Rehabilitation of aquasilviculture projects

Short-term 1. Rehabilitation of Mariculture Parks 2. Rehabilitation of Seaweed and Aquafarm Development Program3. Provision of patrol boats4. Distribution of fishing gears and fishing banca5. Rehabilitation of BFAR laboratories, hatcheries, nurseries, and facilities

Long-term 1. Rehabilitation of infrastructure and post-harvest facilities2. Establishment of fish ports3. Provision of 3-tonner mobile ice plants4. Construction of fishery products value-adding facilities5. Establishment of fiberglass-making facilities6. Assessment of ecological habitats (mangrove, coral reefs, and seagrass beds)7. Rehabilitation of fish sanctuaries/marine protected areas

OthersHousing relocation site for marginal fisherfolks affected by the 40-meter no-build zone should be accompanied, if not accessible to, alternative and/or supplemental livelihood and social services

Trade, Industry and Services (TIS)

Strategies

1. Restoration of flow of cash2. Rebuilding of micro-distribution3. Focus of support to small and medium enterprises (agri-business) to strengthen the industry

sector4. Revival of sari-sari store economy5. Skills matching of the human resource in the region to supply manpower of the manufacturing

companies thus increase employment for the people of the region6. Exercising leniency and utmost understanding in the collection of outstanding balances/

accounts receivables from businesses in Tacloban City 7. Encourage national level suppliers and manufacturers to8. Interlink of trade and industry and services to transportation, power, water and other

infrastructure facilities and utilities


1. Soft or concessional loan from banks or DTI2. “Adopt A Business” program (Develop a framework and mechanics for big businesses from

other HUCs and Metro Manila to directly assist local Tacloban business owners who are seeking immediate aid to start their local business but do not have immediate working capital, equipment or stocks to resume their businesses)

3. Diskwento Caravan

45

4. Establishment of Diskwento Product Depot5. Entrepreneurship and skills training programs 6. Creation of a Business Assistance Center 7. Participation in the Visayas Wide Trade Fair for Yolanda-affected MSMEs8. Capacity development for business membership organizations9. Development of Business Parks10. Development of the Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center (EVRGC) and light industrial

economic zone11. Revitalization of industrial economic zone 12. Conduct of a feasibility study on renovating the DTI-VIII Regional Training Center into a

typhoon-resilient warehouse for the retail trading sector of Leyte. This will address the problem of scarcity of supply of basic commodities and construction materials that usually happens after natural calamities.

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities by Industry

Basic Food/Clothing Retail Distribution

Sari-Sari Store/Talipapa

1. Construction/Repair of market stalls, “talipapa” (include in priority list of infrastructure rebuild priority of LGUs

2. Extension of price break on supplies of basic goods in affected areas by private enterprises 3. Focus on basic “tingi” products or single-serve packs to maximize consumer cash flow and

fresh produce4. Special “windows” for withdrawal of savings and/or remittances for cash economy 5. Scaling-up of “Diskwento Caravan” across affected areas 6. Fast-tracking building of supply depots for forward deployment of supply goods (Diskwento

Depot) 7. Strategic, quick build and deployment of pre-fab talipapa stalls8. Rebuilding of damaged market stalls (DPWH)9. Acquisition of new “timbangans” via ODA or direct government purchase (DTI)10. Temporary reduction/freezing on single-serve, small size items with private enterprises11. Micro-finance credit to entrepreneurs. Provide access to lower interest rates or reduced fees

via government subsidy (SBCorp, Landbank, DBP, BSP)12. Cash transfer from remittances via roving money changers (with DTI Roving Caravan)13. Acceleration and proliferation of ATM and bank branch reopening (BSP/DOF)14. Grant in kind (e.g. sari-sari store) Project

Construction Industry

1. Conduct of construction-related training programs (how to build houses, make hollow blocks) 2. Extension of merchant seed money to beneficiaries to distribute goods downstream – through

Instant Puhunan/Merchant Seeding Program in Diskwento Depots • Provision of start-up capital in the form of goods inventory to micro-entrepreneurs • Distribution of goods downstream by micro-entrepreneurs • Replenishment of goods with realized sales and drawing again from Diskwento Depot,

with maximum of up to five (5) draws3. Training and skills development for beneficiary4. Establishment of “Diskwento Depots” in key areas

Cottage Industry/SME Development

1. Micro-finance/Loan guarantees to MSMEs2. Funding assistance to restore existing equipment back to working condition3. Easy financing for new equipment to replace non-serviceable items 4. Assistance to MSMEs that depend on cottage industry supply chain 5. Downscale entrepreneurship and skills training for displaced barangay folk6. Scale-up and re-focus DTI SSF Program to provide shared facilities to affected downscale

industry7. Financing assistance to next level MSMEs via reduced fees and interest rates

46

8. Scale-up training programs9. Entrepreneurial assistance (DTI, SBC)10. Skills assistance (DTI, PPTC, TESDA)11. Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)12. Assistance to enterprises through SETUP of DOST 13. Micro-finance credit and loan guarantees to entrepreneurs at reduced fees for food/clothing

retail and cottage industry consolidations to be implemented in January-June 2014 14. Reestablishment of Pasalubong Center in Tacloban City Airport and bus/port terminals15. SME Caravan/Roving Academy 16. Institutionalized compendium of interventions to MSMEs towards exporting of products 17. Provision of SSF18. Product development and packaging design for GDH, furniture, fashion accessories, and

souvenir items from typhoon debris19. Community-based projects (Local Grant-in-Aid)20. Regional Food Innovation Center21. Production and technology transfer of Food and Nutrition Research Institute-developed

complementary foods for malnourished children22. Establishment of a common service facility for ceramics production in Tanauan, Leyte by

adopting DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute-developed technologies for the production of ceramic water filter and other terracotta products, Phase I

23. Strengthening the testing and analytical capabilities of the regional laboratories to support competitiveness of local industries

Public Mobility and Access1. Repair of motorcycle/tricycle and small public utility vehicle as an emergency service 2. Enhanced financing and credit terms for motorcycles and tricycles (acquisition of public utility

vehicles) 3. Operation of one-stop facility to secure local franchise and pay tax/fees

Service Industry Support 1. Skills training 2. Provision of simple tools and equipment (priority to ruMEPP clients)3. Revival of existing business pre-Yolanda, e.g. fast food chains, hardware stores including

infrastructure rebuilding and involving Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) associations4. Re-establish step-up commercial establishments such as department stores, supermarkets,

drugstores, etc.5. Exports6. BPM activity7. Seaweed industry

Tourism

Strategies

1. Development and marketing of new tour packages2. Repackage tourism capabilities/offer tours to tourist areas not affected by the Supertyphoon

• Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, part of Samar and Biliran• Voluntourism • Forge marketing links with the Tourism Promotions Board, Tourism Congress, and other

industry associations 3. Capital build-up4. Short-term grace period on payment of existing loans and waiver of interest rates5. Access to loan facilities with low interest rates6. Consultation with local communities on how to turn the devastation into promising tourism

attractions in the region


1. Actual assessment per tourism establishment to determine extent of damage, rehabilitation/reconstruction work to be done and estimated time frame to become fully operational

2. Assessment of tourism sites/attractions to determine damage

47

3. Rehabilitation/reconstruction of tourism establishments 4. Rehabilitation/reconstruction of tourism sites/attractions 5. Rehabilitation of DZR Airport, Tacloban (medium-term)6. Operationalization of Ormoc Airport (Leyte) or Maasin Airport (Southern Leyte) as temporary/

alternative gateway to Leyte Island (short-term)

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities

1. Rehabilitation of damaged attractions 2. Construction of facilities in damaged tourism areas (Kalanggaman Island, Palompon/Sohoton

Caves, Basey3. Provision of equipment, gears for tourist activities operated by people’s organizations4. Establishment of memorial parks and markers” where thousands of people perished 5. Cash-for-work Program for local community in the clearing, rehabilitation, reconstruction of

tourist sites/facilities6. Retooling of tour guides

ICT

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities

1. Information System to Access the Vulnerability Exposure to Disaster in Region VIII (iSAVED), Phase I

2. Rehabilitation of the Leyte ICT Park3. Repair/rehabilitation/upgrading of digital infrastructure to restart the business processing and

management (BPM) industry

Phot

o Cr

edit:

ww

w.n

bcne

ws.c

om

48

Social Sector

Housing

Strategies

1. Strict enforcement of the No Build Zone policy – No dwelling units should be constructed or erected within the 40 meters from the shorelines and within the 3 meters from the river banks• Creation and implementation of an Implementing Rules and Regulations for the No Build

Zone policy2. Creation and implementation on policies on building code towards construction of disaster-

resilient structures 3. Technical assistance on safer building practice delivered at the community level 4. Experts’ technical support to the government on better/safer housing5. Provision of permanent resettlement areas for the affected families

• Replacement of private residential lots included in the No Build Zone• Reclamation of affected areas and putting up of prominent seawalls and breakwaters in

cases where no replacements and resettlement sites are possible• Conversion of public idle lands suitable for housing into resettlement sites

6. Opening of opportunities for informal and formal income earners through an affordable socialized housing component on buildable zone

7. Making available medium- and high-rise housing affordable for low-income earners through local and national developers on buildable zone

8. Provision of material assistance to private dwelling owners for the repair of devastated structures with disaster-resilient designs

9. Provision of housing assistance to affected government employees10. Intensifying information dissemination on the availability of housing loans/programs to

increase availment11. Intensifying information dissemination on appropriate and safe building standards to affected

populations and implementing agencies

Programs, Projects and Activities

1. Provision of emergency shelter • Distribution of tarpaulins or plastic sheeting (emergency tent solutions) to provide roof

coverage for households with damaged houses • Distribution of shelter kits (GI sheets, umbrella nails, concrete wire nails, hammer and saw)

in Palo, Leyte, Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Tanauan, Leyte2. Construction of 228 bunkhouses in Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar3. Construction of permanent shelter for affected families in the No Build Zone

• Tacloban North Settlement Project• Kawayan Ville Housing Project • Tacloban Resettlement Project

4. Home Emergency Loan Program (GSIS)5. Housing Loan under the Landbank Calamity Rehabilitation Support (CARES) Program6. Cash-for-work programs to support recovery of salvageable materials and disposal of unusable

debris, with particular focus on young underemployed males 7. Cash distributions (with monitoring) to enable households to purchase construction materials

or labor that will contribute to progressive sheltering and monitoring disaggregated by usage type

8. Training of local carpenters, laborers, plumbers, electricians who can be utilized in repair and reconstruction efforts

9. Production/distribution of information, education, and communication materials

Education

Basic Education

1. Establishment of temporary learning spaces (provision of tents, makeshift shelters and other temporary/intermediate school shelter solutions)

2. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged schools, schoolbuildings, and classrooms

49

3. Replacement of damaged/missing teaching and learning materials4. Distribution of educational and other kits

• Student Kits• ECD Kits• Recreational Kits• School in a Box

5. Distribution/establishment Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities6. Conduct of stress debriefing sessions in affected areas7. Conduct of Back-to-Learning Campaign 8. Feeding Program 9. Training of teachers, principals, day-care workers and other education personnel on:10. Trainings on DRRM for education players

Higher Education

1. Establishment of temporary classrooms2. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged schools, school buildings, classrooms, and

facilities3. Replacement of damaged/missing educational materials and equipment4. Training for teachers5. Restoration of income-generating projects 6. Coconut replanting program (VSU)7. Relocation of schools to safer areas (EVSU, VSU Tolosa)8. Support program for returning affected students 9. Support program for affected private HEIs

Technical and Vocational Education

1. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of damaged training centers/schools/classrooms2. Replacement of damaged/missing teaching and learning materials3. Pandayan Project4. Training program on carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation and maintenance, masonry5. Special Training for Employment Program 6. Community-based Livelihood Program

Health and Nutrition

Strategies

1. Early warning system established for detection and prevention of outbreaks in the affected communities

2. Increasing provision of and access to essential health services (medical/surgical consultations, reproductive health, mental health, psychosocial support, health promotion, immunization)

3. Providing support for mental health and psychosocial healing to the affected population 4. Equitable delivery of health and nutrition services across affected municipalities

• Continuation of screening, outpatient and in-patient treatment and management of diseases, blanket supplementary feeding

5. Strengthening referral system from community health facilities to higher levels of care • Reproductive health medical outreach missions by mobile teams • Health information

6. Strengthening reproductive health cares• Delivery of mobile team services for pregnant and lactating women in evacuation centers• Hygiene kit distribution with health information sessions for women of reproductive age• Support to the DOH in re-establishing comprehensive reproductive health services and

providing basic RH equipment to rehabilitate damaged rural health units7. Intensifying public health information, education and communication8. Putting in place surveillance systems should be in place during and after the occurrence of

disasters to closely monitor the health situation and prevent or provide timely information for the appropriate response to disease outbreaks

9. Increasing access to health insurance

50


Short Term 1. Quick fix of damaged hospitals, rural health units, barangay health stations, and other health

facilities 2. Delivery of essential health care services to affected populations and host communities

• Medical/surgical consultations• Reproductive health consultations• Immunization• Creation/dispatch of mobile teams to conduct medical outreach missions

3. Conduct of mental health and psychosocial support services to affected population4. Establishment of early warning system for the detection and prevention of outbreaks in the

affected communities 5. School-Based Dengue (OL) Trap Roll-out6. Conduct of public health information campaign, including hygiene, sanitation and reproductive

health 7. Delivery of nutrition services

• Micronutrient supplementation • Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition • Infant and Young Child Feeding • Feeding in Emergencies

Medium Term1. Establishment of an equitable disaster-resilient health system 2. Construction/rehabilitation of all damaged health facilities, including hospitals, rural health

units, and barangay health stations to bring them back to the level of functionality 3. Establishment of a more disaster-responsive health system4. Construction of government warehouses to serve as stock rooms for medical equipment and

supplies in times of disasters, including family planning supplies5. Review/assessment of needed medicines, medical supplies and other items for emergency

purposes6. Supplementary Feeding Program7. Infant and Young Child Program8. Micronutrient Supplementation9. Health and nutrition advocacy10. Health and nutrition surveillance (including replacement of nutrition assessment tools)11. PhilHealth coverage of members and non-members12. Accreditation/rehabilitation of health care institutions

Long Term1. Increasing public investments on health and nutrition, with focus on nutritionally needier areas

and groups which are nutritionally at risk.2. Intensifying preventive and curative measures for communicable and non-communicable

diseases 3. Improving the capability of health providers, and the functionality of the health system,

including interventions to ensure adequate health manpower, pharmaceuticals, blood and other supplies, improved health information systems, adequate staffing supply and capabilities, functional referral systems (among public and private facilities), quality of service of health facilities, health financing buffers of the families, as well as formal and informal engagements /collaborations with community groups and healthcare organizations

4. Adopting the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN)

Social Welfare

Strategies

1. Household and community level needs assessment on shelter (listing of families in camps who are qualified for shelter kits, coordination with the Shelter Committee on requirements of identified families)

2. Social preparation for relocation of families/communities3. Strong coordination with LGUs and funding agencies

51

4. Volunteerism


1. Distribution/monitoring of shelter kits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) with damaged houses in areas declared as Can-Build Zones

2. Assessment/identification of families for relocation to transitional sites/bunkhouses• Administration and validation of data using the DAFAC• Identification of priority areas

3. Construction of permanent homes for IDPs4. Establishment of Protection Information Management System (tracing, verification, family

reunification, follow-up)5. Establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces in every barangay6. Placement of children through Alternative Parental Care (Kinship Care, Foster Care) 7. Preparation for independent living of families 8. Case Management and Referral9. Provision of Financial Assistance10. Provision of Educational Assistance11. Provision of Medical Assistance12. Legal Support /Referrals for legal assistance13. Psychological evaluation and counselling14. Strengthening of referral system for VAWC and CNSP15. Capacity building for residents in the Center and Institution16. Establishment of Day Care Center in DSWD Compound 17. Conduct orientation to FP on RLA18. Sustainable Livelihood Program Rehabilitation of affected livelihood projects 19. Cash-for-work Program for rebuilding of communities 20. Strengthened implementation of the CCT Program 21. Installation of a system on volunteer management

Cross-sectoral Interventions

Peace and Security

Yolanda has certain implications and possible consequences in relation to peace and security. The following are interventions to address different expected scenarios.

Scenario 1Tensed, frantic and agitated people due to the end of the “Response and Relief” phase and perceived slow rehabilitation and recovery phase, resulting to looting and robbery

• Providing livelihood support and sustainable employment• Sustaining and intensifying anti-criminality and crime prevention drives

Scenario 2Weak business confidence and prolonged reopening of business operations due to peace and security concerns

• Increasing police visibility especially in business areas• Increasing the level of alertness and vigilance among PNP personnel

Scenario 3Potential unrest in the labor sector/industrial peace affected• Translating policies into action through efficient program and project implementation

participated in by different stakeholders of the business sector

Scenario 4Vulnerability of people/population to recruitment from CPP-NPA due to economic factors • Uplifting the socio-economic status through provision of basic social services such as livelihood

opportunities and employment

52

• Advocacy and promotion of local peace efforts, and the roles of the community and their leaders in implementing them

• Upgrading the region’s internal defense capability including intelligence and crime prevention

Scenario 5Attempts of CPP-NPA to reactivate in development-ready areas• Intensifying formation of collection efforts and intelligence fusion with other members of the

intelligence community to detect any enemy hostile plan of action• Intensifying internal security operations

Environment

As important and urgent as human needs are, both short-term and long-term recovery efforts should also take into account the needs of nature in support of improving human well-being. Reconstruction efforts following disasters provide opportunities to bring about more far-reaching and longer term changes. These changes will both aid recovery of people’s livelihoods and the ecosystems upon which people rely to meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter and to decrease vulnerability to future disasters as well.

Strategies

1. Establishment of a multi-layered mixed mangrove forest to serve as effective eco-shield protective green barrier for supertyphoons • Clearing and declogging as initial part of rehabilitation

• Clear/free the planting sites from debris• Clear the mouth of river from debris and sediments to allow free flow of tidal

inundation • Avoid planting the newly deposited sediments and unstable substrate• If possible, clear the root systems free from over tapping sediments• If soil deposition is quite stable, select species for rehabilitation that may be suitable

to new substrate and hydro-period• Selection of species and design for rehabilitation. First and foremost, it is necessary to

assess which mangrove trees or plants are desired for rehabilitation. Since there are scores of varieties and species of plants in the mangrove forest, certain ones are typically chosen over others for a rehabilitation program, such as those that are resilient to impact of storm surge and super typhoon, can recover fast from damage, can cope up/pace with relative sea level rise, are compatible with a mixture of species, and are adaptable to climate changes (hydro-period, temperature, salinity, changes of substrate and gradient).• Recommended species for beach areas:

• For Sandy-Silt Loam Substrate, combination of:- Bani- Malubago- Banalo- Talisay- Melalueca

• For Clay–Clay Loam, combination of:- Toog - Bagras/Red Gum- Narra- Mahogany- Dao- Rain tree- Acacia nilotica

• Establishment of the 4Rs in Mangrove Rehabilitation• Right place• Right species• Right timing• Right ways

2. Establishment of a coastal landscape of 2-3 layers Green Belt Barriers (GBB)3. Coordination between and among the Shelter, Food Security, Health, and Education Clusters,

relevant authorities, and local government units to ensure appropriate recycling of waste/debris

53

4. Innovative and environment-friendly waste management through debris recycling for reconstruction of shelters and community assets

5. Application of the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principle in solid waste management.6. Application of environment-friendly techniques in water management and conservation7. Promotion of environment-friendly techniques for WASH8. Explicit consideration of environment in livelihood and housing interventions

Projects, Programs and Activities

1. National Greening Program2. Program Leyte Gulf Mangrove and Beach Forest Plantation3. Seedling production4. Nursery Establishment5. Designation of temporary area for disposal within the Sanitary Landfill sites 6. Reconstruction of Sanitary Landfills7. Purchase/repair of equipment (e.g. densifier, shredder)8. Repair of damaged Material Recovery Facility buildings9. School-based Project on Waste Recycling (e.g. Recycling of foils/doy packs into school chairs

in partnership with the DepEd, SK, EMB and Mendelez International 10. Adopt-an-Estero Program11. Recycling of waste/debris for reconstruction of homes 12. Sorting/composting of biodegradable materials into fertilizers13. Cash-for-work in environmental activities such as tree planting, camp clean-up and

environmental rehabilitation 14. Hiring of additional workers to secure the typhoon debris within the SLF site15. Livelihood for indigenous communities in the upland affected by downed trees in the uplands16. Conduct of systematic surveys/assessment to determine the extent of windblown trees in

natural forests and upland areas. 17. In storm surge areas, there is the possibility of contamination of shallow aquifers due to

hazardous waste — constant monitoring is needed particularly in relation to the use of hand pumps from shallow aquifers in affected areas

18. Use of alternative energy sources such as solar panels for water pumps and lighting for safer use of latrines and showers

19. Rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse for small plantations, and eco-sanitation to manage and conserve water

Macroeconomy

In view of the massive damage and losses incurred in the various sectors of the region, the already ailing regional economy and increasing poverty situation prevailing before Yolanda, it is expected that the socio-economic conditions of Eastern Visayas will turn for the worse.

In order to abate this, there is a need to fast-track the rehabilitation and recovery of the region. Several interventions are herein identified to address the long-standing poverty issues, especially in Yolanda-affected areas. These interventions aim to ensure that all recovery and reconstruction efforts will put the region back to the track of inclusive growth through poverty reduction and economic growth. Thus, employment and livelihood are primary concerns of the macroeconomic sector.

Interventions to arrest the GRDP contraction

1. Fast-tracking the re-starting of agriculture (crops, fisheries, and livestock) through provision of community-based grants or micro-credit schemes• This is very important since majority of those who lost their incomes and sources of

livelihood are the marginalized rural workers such as the farmers (most especially the coconut farmers) and fisherfolks.

2. Fast-tracking the re-energizing of enterprises/private businesses • SMEs are engines of economic growth, thus restoring and expanding their operations is

key to sustainable employment and incomes in the region upon termination of cash-for-work and emergency employment.

54

• Initially, typhoon-damaged businesses need to replace, and potentially upgrade, assets and should have access to working capital to restore business activity.

• Identification of trade and industry needs such as loan restructuring and refinancing, guarantees, financing through cooperatives and microfinance institutions, must be undertaken. Refinancing mechanisms for banks must also be quickly assessed, especially in rural areas.

Interventions to recover from a high poverty incidence rate

1. Providing financial assistance to affected qualified businesses in terms of loans at lower interest rates by government financial institutions

2. Granting tax holidays to affected businesses to help them recover during the initial stages of their operations

3. Moratorium on payment of debts/loans from government financing institutions, especially from the marginal sector like fisherfolks, farmers, micro-entrepreneurs who are usually not credit-worthy to private sources

4. Temporary suspension of government fees required to reconstruct damaged structures5. Livelihood recovery response and the development of the financial sector and business

development services

Interventions to provide sustainable livelihood and employment

1. For the business sector to provide emergency employment to affected workers/laborers at the current minimum wage. It is proposed that 75% of the wages be shouldered by the employer and the remaining 25% be taken from the Emergency and Temporary Employment Program of the DOLE

2. For the government and other groups to provide cash-for-work/emergency employment such as but not limited to:

DSWD• Livelihood assistance through cash-for-work (280,968 families, February to June 2014)

- Loading and unloading, and repacking of relief goods - Food preparation- Sorting and inventory of damaged property, supplies, documents, and equipment- Clearing of debris, coastal clean-up, canal dredging- Communal gardening

• Rebuilding of community livelihood assets through cash-for-work (106,944 families, July-December 2014)

• Load Retailing Business for Pantawid beneficiaries in Ormoc City, Tacloban, Palo, Guiuan (provision of cellular phones and start-up capital of PhP1,000.00 each)

BFAR • Cash-for-work for fisherfolks (one-time payment of PhP1,500 per fisherfolk) for fixing of

his/her own boat

DENR• Hiring of Forest Protection Officers for the hauling of forest products from forest lands

PCA • Cash cropping or cash-for-work and free seeds in planting of short-gestation crops

PhilFIDA• Labor services for clearing of fallen shade abaca trees and cutting of uprooted and twisted

abaca plant

DAR• Cash for vocational training to enable ARBs and non-ARBs gain easier access to employment

options

DOT • Cash-for-work program for local residents in the clearing, rehabilitation, reconstruction of

tourist sites/facilities

55

LGU Jaro, Leyte• Cash-for-work program for the repair of damaged houses (3,839 families, March-June

2014)• Cash-for-work program for communal farm

LGU Northern Samar• Cash-for-work program for 23 municipalities (9,951 families)

Other Government Agencies/LGUs/Entities• Cash-for-work program for cleaning operations, debris management, repair, among others

3. Providing alternative livelihood trainings and capitalization for workers affected by the crisis4. Support to labor-related institutions that enhance employability, social protection and other

aspects of labor administration in post-disaster situations

Interventions to stabilize prices and lower inflation

1. Support to efforts to restore and stabilize the supply and market functions for basic goods, materials and outputs

Governance

Strategies

1. Adopting three-pronged interventions• Ecosystems-based solutions (e. g. mangrove reforestation, coral reef rehabilitation)• Disaster-resilient structural designs• Land use planning

2. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into local plans and systems

3. Capacitating DRRM councils and emergency responders (PNP, BFP, ERTs, Tanods, ACV)4. Fast-tracking release of funds5. Reformulation of procurement procedures attuned to disaster times6. Institutionalization of paperless governance (records-keeping, forms storage, and the like)7. Strengthening communication and advocacy8. Institutionalization of transparency and accountability mechanisms9. Close coordination between the LGUs and national government agencies in order to assign

responsibility of projects and assignment of funding whether from local calamity fund or national rehabilitation fund

10. Revisit/ review of existing ordinances vis-à-vis compliance to national laws and policies11. Tapping resources of state universities for knowledge sharing on DRRM/CCA, especially VSU

as Regional Climate Change Research Center12. Institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation

General Programs, Projects and Activities for Local Governance

1. Clearing operations (debris management, waste collection)2. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of public structure:

• Provincial/city/municipal/barangay halls• Public markets• Slaughterhouses• Terminal/bus stations• Multi-purpose halls• Gymnasium• Civic Centers• Recreational and other facilities

3. Purchase/replacement of facilities and equipment4. Mainstreaming DRRM/CCA into the Provincial Development and Physical Framework

Plans — all provinces5. Updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUPs) of cities and municipalities6. Japan Fund for Poverty Alleviation Project: Grant for Early Recovery of Poor Municipalities

Affected by Yolanda

56

7. Project Climate Change Twin Phoenix (a technical assistance project of the Climate Change Commission, UNDP and AusAid to mainstream DDRM/CCA in local plans of Tacloban City and selected Yolanda-affected municipalities)

8. Implementation of the Full Disclosure Policy to include posting of documents on donations and grants aside from the usual documents

9. Creation of emergency response groups to deliver basic social services during and after disasters

10. Conduct trainings on disaster preparedness11. Inclusion of monitoring reports on Yolanda in the Full Disclosure Policy for transparency and

accountability12. Regular/special meetings of the Provincial/City/Municipal DRRM Councils13. Installation of back-up systems and equipment that might be damaged or become inoperable

during disasters/emergencies

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Leyte

1. Rehabilitation/construction of hospitals2. Rehabilitation/construction of Leyte Provincial Jail and sub-jails3. Rehabilitation/reconstruction of school buildings4. Rehabilitation/reconstruction of provincial offices and other structures5. Procurement of hospital equipment6. Construction of Regional Government Center and Evacuation Center (RGCEC) in Palo, Leyte7. Construction of new Leyte Provincial Hospital within the RGCEC in Palo, Leyte8. Construction of new Leyte Provincial Capitol within the RGCEC in Palo, Leyte9. Expansion of Tacloban Port Area 10. Construction of West Bypass Road (Pawing-Campetic-Guindapunan-San Jose-Arado)11. Construction/development of Babatngon Seaport 12. Rehabilitation/widening of Maharlika Highway, from San Juanico Bridge Tacloban-Pawing-Palo

Proper (Junction to Baybay and to Ormoc)13. Rehabilitation/improvement of flood control of Dungcaan River Basin (Baybay City), diking

system (from river mouth to 5 km upstream for a 25-year return period)14. Rehabilitation/improvement of flood control of Pagsangahan-Cadacan River Basin covering

Ormoc, Merida, Isabel, Palompon, Kananga and Buenavista15. Construction of Capoocan-Leyte Coastal Road 16. Road concreting along Purisima St. (Brgy. Guindapunan)-Caloogan (San Jose)-Barayong

(Housing Site)17. Barayong Housing Project 18. Pawing and Campetic Growth Center 19. Guindapunan Residential and Commercial Center 20. Leyte Provincial Convention Center (LPCC)

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Biliran1. Rehabilitation/repair of local government facilities such as but not limited to the Provincial

Hospital, Provincial Capitol, Naval Gymnasium, etc.2. Provision of livelihood

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Southern Leyte

1. Repair/rehabilitation/reconstruction of the following damaged structures:• School buildings• Roads and bridges

2. Restart of agricultural production3. Housing assistance

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Eastern Samar

Rehabilitation/repair of the following facilities:1. Provincial Hall2. Municipal Hall3. Barangay Hall

57

4. Gymnasium/Multi-purpose Buildings5. Public Market6. Transport Terminal7. Fire Station

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Northern Samar

1. Rehabilitation/repair of provincial road2. Repair of damaged classrooms and school buildings3. Replacement of guardrails4. Rehabilitation/repair of damaged local government facilities5. Rehabilitation of unpaved roads and embankment CORESA6. Cash-for-work7. IEC8. Suplementation9. Treatment10. Deworming11. Vaccination12. Animal dispersal

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Tacloban City

Immediate Infrastructure1. Construction of school buildings2. Clearing and declogging of drainage3. Clearing and assessment of state universities4. Repair of public buildings 5. National government agencies6. City government – City Hall, slaughterhouse, bus terminal, market7. Repair of classrooms8. Purchase and distribution of satellite phones9. Review and localization of Building Code10. Repair of roads and bridges11. Repair/reconstruction of hospital and health center

Short-term Infrastructure1. City-wide Water and Sanitation Study2. Permanent evacuation center3. Rehabilitation/retrofitting of Payapay and Burayan Bridge4. Rehabilitation/reconstruction of damaged national roads including construction of drainage

system5. Private sector initiative for communication improvements6. New application for insurance for physical plants and facilities of Tacloban City7. Equipment/office building for PAGASA/DOST8. Master plan for drainage system9. Establishment of 40-meter easement from shoreline

Medium-term Infrastructure1. Inter-LGU Solid Waste Management Facility2. Babatngon Port development3. Restoration of buildings and utilities of state universities in Tacloban City4. Construction of flood control structures along major rivers5. Introduction of solar-powered distribution lines6. Reconstruction of Burayan Bridge in 4 lanes (20 tons)

Long-term Infrastructure1. Construction of Tacloban City International Airport2. Underground power distribution and communication3. Construction of four-lane road with sturdy shore protection

58

Specific Programs, Projects and Activities of LGU-Catbalogan City

1. Construction of a warehouse-type gym that will serve as food depot and evacuation center during times of crisis

2. Establishment of a 145-hectare urban resettlement to 100 meters above sea level3. Beef up equipments of stevedoring and arrastre services at the pier4. Completion and operationalization of the Catbalogan City Airport5. Decongestion of traffic along Rizal Avenue by removing the concrete fence road block of the

port 6. Expansion of Catbalogan Abattoir7. Construction of the Catbalogan Terminal8. Construction of the Buri Causeway Suspension Bridge that will connect the mainland to the

Mariculture/Aqua Park9. Establishment of a Mariculture/Aqua Park to generate massive employment and livelihood10. Purchase of mobile clinic

Programs, Projects and Activities LGU-Baybay City

Repair/rehabilitation/reconstruction of the following damaged structures:1. City Hall 2. Barangay Halls3. Gymnasiums/Multi-Purpose Building4. Public Market5. Transport Terminal6. School Buildings7. Legislative Building8. DSWD Building9. ABC Building10. City Health Office11. Rural Health Units 1 and 212. Barangay Health Stations13. City roads and drainage system14. Street lights (city and barangay)15. Water systems16. Irrigation systems17. Barangay roads, bridges and spillway

Programs, Projects and Activities LGU-Ormoc City

1. Restoration of Ormoc City Hall Building2. Restoration of AgriTech Building3. Restoration of CAO Quarantine Services Station at port area4. Restoration of CAO Hatchery Building 5. Restoration of CAO Nursery Building6. Restoration of Ormoc City Health Building7. Restoration of City Engineering Office8. Reconstruction of CEO Motorpool9. Repair of CEO Garage10. Restoration of CDRRM Building11. Restoration/improvement of buildings and structures at GSD Compound12. Restoration of ORWASA Building13. Restoration of ORWASA Production Building14. Restoration of ORWASA Water Testing Laboratory Buidling15. Restoration of Ormoc City Slaughterhouse16. Restoration/improvement of Old City Hall17. Restoration/improvement of City Veterinary Building18. Restoration of City Tourism Center19. Restoration/improvement of DILG and Police Station 1 Building20. Restoration of Ormoc Manpower Building21. Restoration of Superdome22. Restoration of Ormoc City Shopping Mall

59

23. Restoration of Ormoc Public Library24. Reconstruction of Bagsakan Building25. Reconstruction of Ormoc Public Market Complex26. Restoration of Ormoc Food Park27. Restoration of 43 Barangay Halls28. Restoration of 6 Barangay Multi-purpose Buildings29. Restoration of Senior Citizen’s Building30. Restoration of Ormoc Fire Department Building31. Restoration of Fire Sub-station32. Ormoc City PNP Compound

Programs, Projects and Activities for the National Government

1. Repair/rehabilitation/construction of office buildings2. Procurement of office vehicles, computers, and other facilities/equipment to replace the

damaged units3. Construction of Regional Government Center and Evacuation Center (RGCEC)4. Hiring of personnel to positions vacated due to the implementation of the Rationalization Plan5. Job outsourcing to address lack of manpower6. Stress debriefing seminars for affected government employees7. Support to repair/restoration of houses of government employees8. Regular/special meetings of the Regional DRRM Council9. Revisit of tools measuring governance vis-à-vis DRRM (SDP, LGPMS, CBMS, FDP)10. Create of emergency response groups to deliver basic social services during and after

disasters11. Review of DRRM protocols 12. Preparation of a comprehensive and strategic DRRM/CCA communication plan (messages are

clear, easily understood, and timely)13. Installation of monitoring systems

• Setting-up of the NEDA Main IT HUB-Data Center Processing - A facility for the President to meet cabinet clusters on Yolanda, for designated

department undersecretaries to upload data on periodic reports, and to monitor live reports from project sites, feeds from local and foreign weather tracking services, live links to cable TV, Internet, and radio stations

• Construction and regular updating of the OPARR e-PLDT-Smart-sponsored portal - A web-based channel for monitoring of status of the implementation of rehabilitation and recovery efforts, wherein public can access/view latest R&R updates)

60

SPECIAL SECTION ON POLICY AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES/CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Agriculture Issues and Concerns Recommendations Responsible Agency/

InstitutionLack of technical manpower to oversee Yolanda-related activities

-Authorize regional technical manpower-Fast-track RatPlan implementation

DA Family

Delayed release of logistical support (e.g. funds)

-Fast-track release of funds-Decentralize

PCA, PhilFIDA, NFA

Very limited seeds and planting materials because most seed growers and nurseries (private, public) were also affected

-Look for other sources outside the region-Speed up the rehabilitation and expansion of plant nurseries and tissue culture labs

DA Family

Lack of service vehicles and office equipment for project implementation and M&E

Immediate purchase of service vehicles and office equipment

DA Family

Availability of hardwood for making the keel and processed wood - marine plywood for the sidings and lumber for the frame of banca

-Better coordination with DENR(BFAR to write a letter to DENR Secretary to assist in solution of the problem on shortage of wood supply; letter to be signed by the DA Secretary)-DENR to look into the possibility of donating the cleared confiscated logs/lumber/fliches-Consider fiberglass boats as an option

BFAR, DENR

Non-serviceable fishports due to typhoon damage

Give priority to the repair of damaged fishports

BFAR, PFDA

No allocation/budget for project management and M&E (e.g. geo-tagging)

Include in the expanded rehabilitation plan All implementing agencies

Communications constraints to Region 8 outside of Tacloban City (telephone, internet)

Provide communication allowance for mobile phones

All implementing agencies

Security of tenure for the lease holders as all records/documents were lost/damaged

Re-documentation of contracts of leasehold areas

DAR, PCA

Destroyed common service facilities in ARCs

Include repair in the expanded rehabilitation plan

Displacement of fisherfolks/residents within the 40-meter no build zone

-Provide housing relocation site for affected marginal fisherfolks — should be with alternative and/or supplemental livelihood-Declare resettlement areas for permanent relocation

NAPC, NHA, LGUs

NHA, HLURB

No insurance for rice and coconut

-Include upland rice in the insurance packages under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)-Include coconut and by-products in the insurance packages under PCIC

PCIC, DA

PCIC, PCA

Lack of insurance for other major crops

Provision of full premium crop insurance subsidy

PCIC, Concerned agencies

Vulnerability of rice variety to salinity

Promote use of saline-tolerant and/or submergence-tolerant rice within 100 meters strip found along coastal areas

DA

61

Issues and Concerns Recommendations Responsible Agency/ Institution

Threatened food security during and after disaster

Promote bread fruit, arrow root (“yau tia”) and wild yam (“kurot”) as alternative foods after calamity

DA

Vulnerability of land-based aquaculture to disasters

-Do not allow further development of fishponds within the 40-meter strip-Moratorium on the development of fishponds in mangrove areasEnhance mangrove reforestation along the 40-meter strip

BFAR

DENR

Lack of interest in coconut replantingLarge volume of fallen coconut trees

-Give incentives for planting coconut trees and subsidizing the maintenance thereof-Encourage planting of coconuts along the 40-meter strip

DA

DALack of funds for coconut land clearing preparation

Grant fuel subsidy for chainsaws PCA

Lack of seeds/fertilizers for crop production

Seeds/fertilizer subsidy (provide hybrid seeds, certified seeds, urea)

DA

Lack of farm machinery Provision of subsidy for farm machinery rental for land preparation

DA

Poor quality of farm equipment and implements

For the Bureau of Standards to look into the quality of locally manufactured farm equipment and implements

Bureau of Standards

Lack of capitalization for farmers -Outright financial assistance or grant to farmers by tapping grants from donor countries and other institutions-Grant soft loan to farmers with a minimal service fee-Grant condonation of interest on loans availed from government owned banks and other financial institutions-For HISUMCO to condone interest charges applied on fertilizer assistance program (for sugarcane farmers)-Forge a tripartite agreement among the bank, contract grower, and integrator in place of collateral (for poultry raisers)-Provide “easy” financial packages such as but not limited to DTI’s collateral-free 5% interest loan-Redesign Agricultural Competetiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to downgrade objectives from raising competitiveness to rehabilitating agriculture so as to enable Yolanda-affected agriculture players to avail of project funds-Create a national composite team to monitor ACEF projects

DA

Exorbitant prices of poultry equipment

Regulate and monitor price of poultry equipment

DTI

62

Trade, Industry and ServicesIssues and Concerns Recommendations Responsible Agency/

InstitutionLow business confidence due to looting and crime rate

-Pull out augmentation of police personnel only upon assessment by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry that everything is back to normal-Adopt CCTV system – allocate funds for this and for the upgrading of equipment of PNP personnel

PNP

Lack of computers for processing drivers’ license, motor vehicle registration, other LTO transactions

Issue directive to fast-track processing in Yolanda-affected areas under the LTO internal program

LTO

Lack of housing/dorms/boarding houses for workers

Adopt the PPP scheme for the construction of dorms/ houses to allow cost sharing and ascertain disaster-resilient designs

PPP

Poor telecommunication services Impose strict regulatory measures to ensure improvement in the design of telecommunication facilities

NTC

Regional economy limited only to trading and production of copra/rice/fisheries

Revive the Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center as a hub for manufacturing and industry to invite more investments

RDC

Law on franchising impedes the donation of vehicles by private groups to address lack of public transportation

-Design a scheme to facilitate the transfer of vehicles from the donor organization to the franchise owners-Streamline policies for franchising and licensing in a disaster context

LTFRB

Income losses for workers, increased unemployment rate, closure of establishments, lack of manpower due to competition from outside organizations

Institute mechanisms/design policy to support employment programs

DOLE

Lack of information where to get aid for business, lack of information (e.g. business profile, database);loss of records (e.g. motor vehicles)

Issue a directive to LGUs/line agencies to establish a business welfare help desk/business assistance center

DILG, CSC, DBM

Difficulty of paying outstanding loan payments/payment terms

Grant of soft loans to businessmen/MSMEs GFIs (e.g. DBP, SBC), CCI

No operating capital/liquidity for business enterprises

-Extend low-interest loans-Adopt profit sharing scheme-Formulate a policy that will encourage donors to align their grant fund with livelihood and enterprise development

GFIs (e.g. DBP, SBC), CCI

Delay in the delivery of stocks due to damage in seaports/airports and long queues in RORO facilities, resulting in artificial shortage and high prices of products

-Give funding priority to repair of damaged ports-For MARINA to allow RORO operators to increase fees to cover the required quota, thus speed-up return trips

DOTC, MARINA

Delay in the shipment of materials needed for the rehabilitation of the sugar mill in Ormoc and Kananga

PPA to strictly give priority to shipment and continue waiving of port and arrastre charges for commodities and other materials (needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction works) from any ports of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon

PPA

63

Issues and Concerns Recommendations Responsible Agency/ Institution

Lack of supply of raw materials

Lack of supply of commodities

Provide cash grants to businessmen to enable them to buy more stocks

DTI

Increased prices of commodities -Strict price monitoring-DTI to strictly monitor prices of commodities and other construction materials and prevent hoarding by unscrupulous businessmen

DTI, DA, BFAD

Exorbitant prices of construction materials

Impose a price freeze on all construction materials and other related hardware

DTI

Totally/severely damaged warehouses

DPWH to include in its budget financial assistance for the repair of private warehouses

DPWH

Shortage of labor supply due to outmigration of skilled workers and reluctance to work due to “relief” mentality

-Issue a directive to track migration of skilled workers-Extend livelihood grants and conduct job fairs, emergency employment (cash-for-work programs)-Implement advocacy to eliminate “relief” mentality

DOLE

DOLE

PIA, DSWD

Difficulty of compliance to tax laws such as deadline for filing and requirements for tax holiday

-Grant tax leniency by extending deadlines-Issue memorandum on the formal extension of deadline and leniency of requirements to the Revenue District Offices-Grant tax holidays for VAT- table businesses and percentage tax to non-VAT table businesses in Yolanda-affected areas

BIR

64

Social Sector

Issues and Concerns Recommendations Responsible Agency/Institution

Health and NutritionAmbiguity in the retrieval, management, and accounting of cadavers/dead persons and missing persons

Revisit the Management of the Dead and Missing Persons (MDM) During Emergencies and Disasters (A.O. 2007-001B) by all concerned agencies, both local and international

DOH

Disaster vulnerability of hospitals

Issue policy on build safe and resilient hospitals

DOH, DPWH

Need for computer software database, emergency cellphone, and emergency Internet connection

Revisit the Health Emergency Reporting Mechanism (D.O. 1-J, s. 2003), A.O. 2004-131 and A.O 2004-164

DOH

Inability to respond to health emergencies

-Issue a policy mandate for the establishment of a response team in every hospital and LGU-Strictly enforce RA 8185 of 1997 (Emergency Power Supply of the LGUs) -Provision of standby generator set and fuel for emergency power supply in every LGU, Hospital, RHU and BHS

DOH, DILG

Malnutrition in disasters Endorse PIMAM protocol for malnutrition rehabilitation

DOH

Hunger/psycho-social problems

Endorse House Bill on Right to Adequate Food

DOH

EducationDamaged infrastructure facilities of SUCs

For DBM to issue a guidelines that will fast-track the downloading of funds

Difficulty of private schools to re-operate due to lack of funds

Issue a policy that will allow government financial assistance to private schools

DepEd, CHED, DOF

Non-affordability of coconut farmers to finance the college education of their children

Recommend to Pres. Aquino the issuance of an EO mandating the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) Foundation to grant free tertiary education to children of Yolanda-affected coconut farmers

PCA

HousingDelay in the determination of No Build Zone

-Issue a directive to give priority to survey and marking/ monumenting of No Build Zone-Formulate IRR on No Build Zone Policy

DILG, DENR

Need to identify relocation sites

-Fast-track land use planning-Formulate zoning ordinance

NHA

Damaged houses of farmers and fisherfolks and other marginalized groups, and government employees

-Allocate funds to help marginalized groups rebuild their houses (source out from calamity fund or grant from other private or foreign organizations)-Fast-track release of housing assistance for government employees from the President’s Social Fund

PMS, GFIs

65

Infrastructure


WaterLack of funds to rehabilitate damaged water supply facilities of water districts

Delay in the release of funds since it is channeled through LWUA/banks

Release directly funding assistance to water districts through LWUA/banks

LWUA

Limited delegated authority to implement water supply projects

Issue a policy that will allow more leeway/power in the implementation of water supply projects

DILG

Lack of water supply for the reoperation of poultry growers

Government to provide water pumps to poultry growers

DA, LWUA, CCI

Power Shortage of quality materials (distribution line-hardware)

Allocate funds for the procurement of buffer stock of quality materials for use during calamities

NEA

Right-of-Way problem during restoration works

Involve LGUs during the restoration process ECs

Delay in the restoration of electricity

-Fast-track immediate downloading of subsidy to electric coops (include the poultry industry and other business establishments as a priority for reconnection)-Request assistance from other electric cooperatives re: manpower and equipment to augment the region’s local electric cooperatives

NEA

Financial constraint of households and business establishments to secure reconnection due to arrearages

Grant staggered-basis payment of past dues ECs

Existing distribution lines within 10M from the center lines along the highway

Allocate funds for expenses in the relocation of existing distribution lines beyond 10M

ECs

IrrigationNo standard design for disaster-resilient irrigation structures

Provide standard design for irrigation structures resilient to climate change

NIA

Delay of project implementation due to limited annual project allocation

Fast-track release of funds to take advantage of the forthcoming dry season/favorable for construction works

NIA

Transport (Roads, Ports, Airports)No standard design for disaster-resilient structures

-Come up with disaster-resilient design options for roads, bridges and flood control structures that can withstand super typhoons as well as resist high-magnitude earthquakes and severe flooding -Raise ports to elevation of 3 meters-Increase EMK (Equivalent Maintenance per Kilometer)

DPWH, DOTC

DOTC, PPA

66


Poor quality of transport infrastructure projects

-Strictly implement policy standards on transport infrastructure projects-Strictly monitor/ supervise construction to ensure that the project design standards are at par-Regularly maintain roads, bridges, flood control and other transport infrastructure

DPWH

Communication/TelecommunicationsWeak and slow warning system Pass House Bill 353 to compel

telecommunication companies to send free mobile alert warnings of impending natural and manmade disasters (concerned agencies to issue the alerts to the mobile phone subscribers located near and within the affected areas)

NTC

Need to restore landline telephone, other telecommunication services

NTC to issue a memorandum circular for a one-year suspension of the imposition of surcharge fee in filing of renewal of permits to its stakeholders

NTC

Proliferation of illegally owned radio units

NTC to issue a memorandum circular for the registration of illegally owned two-way radio units

NTC

Stolen cables and posts LGUs to pass an ordinance to prohibit dismantling of destroyed cables and damaged posts of telecommunication companies and CATV providers in their respective areas of jurisdiction

DILG, NTC, LGUs

67

Environment


Returning of informal settlers in coastal areas

Delineate No-Built Zone (easement) including monumenting

DENR

Potential harm of housing projects to the environment

-Review the impact of the demand for housing and roofing materials on the environment-Craft policy enjoining the use of recycled coconut lumber, bamboo and other possible natural sources of construction materials, recycled material from debris-Craft policy to find local solutions to compensate for the lack of corrugated sheets-Craft policy to consider in shelter plans the implications of mass production of shelter materials, specifically considering use of wood to prevent further illegal logging, deforestation and soil erosion

DENR

Implications of relocation/reconstruction to the environment

-Craft policy to ensure no further harm to the forest cover or the marine environment in relocation sites and reconstruction projects-Craft policy to mandate the consideration of geo-hazards such as landslides in land use planning, including updating of hazard maps

DENR

MGB

Implications of humanitarian aid/livelihood interventions to the environment

-Issue a policy to consider in humanitarian aid and livelihood projects the risks and major impacts to the environment (e.g. overfishing as an offshoot of the overprovision of fishing boats and illegal logging as a result of replacing boats)-Apply stringent restrictions on the logging of Red Lawa’an-Enforce policy to regulate aquaculture industry to protect mangroves

DENR

Destruction of mangroves as a natural shield to storm surge/sea level rise

Include mangrove in the insurance packages under the PCIC

PCIC

68

Governance


Ambiguity in the enforcement of the No Build Zone Policy

-Formulate IRR-Review the Building Code in light of Yolanda

No land use planning/need to redevelop hard-hit areas

Issue directive for the mandatory review of CLUPs of all Yolanda-affected areas

Increase coverage of declared disaster areas (Borongan)

Include Borongan as Yolanda-affected NDRRMC, RDRRMC

Lack of logistics during big disasters

Formulate a policy adopting Catbalogan City as Alternative Logistics Hub

NDRRMC, RDRRMC

Vulnerability of structures to disasters

-Craft policy for mandatory disaster-resilient structural designs for government office buildings, schools, hospitals and health facilities, socialized housing units-Impose mandatory insurance of government properties including structures and equipment

RDRRMC, DILG, RDC

Weak DRRM system/lack of capacity to respond to disasters

-Amend/add defective/lacking provisions in Republic Act 10121 (DRRM Law), including the creation of DRRMO plantilla positions-Institutionalize recognition and incentives system for good-performing LGUs on in DRRM (providing eligibility and access to financial assistance/ reward through DILG)-Institutionalize DRRM Operations Centers, evacuation centers, among others-Formulate policy on adopt-a-sister agency/LGU for quick response to another agency/LGU

NDRRMC

In-migration (LGU capacity to host)

Identify/validate housing program beneficiaries

NHA, HLURB, LGUs

Breakdown of law and order Enhance police presence and assistance PNP, AFPSubmitted reports from MLGUs are delayed and often bloated or underreported

Conduct field validation/fast-track PDNA OCD

Lack of manpower due to Rationalization Plan implementation

-Relax requirements/ policies that hinder immediate filling up of vacancies-Job outsourcing

CSC, DBM

Lack of service vehicles and office equipment for rehabilitation and recovery efforts

Emergency purchase of service vehicles and office equipment

All affected agencies

Personal difficulties encountered by government personnel

-Stress debriefing-Grant of assistance for repair of houses, among other recovery needs

CSC, DBM

No allocation/budget for project management and M&E

Include in the expanded rehabilitation plan All implementing agencies

Communication constraints to Region VIII outside of Tacloban City (telephone, internet)

-Provide communication allowance for mobile phones-Immediate repair communication facilities/assist private sector

All implementing agencies

69


Management of logistics Revisit the Management of Donations (A.O. 2008-0017) and Guidelines on the Acceptance and processing of Foreign and Local Donations During Emergency and Disaster Situations (A.O. 2007-0017) by all concerned agencies, both local and international

OCD

Taxation difficulties -LGUs to grant amnesty on delinquent real property taxes due on agricultural lands -BIR and LGUs Suspend penalties and surcharges on late tax payments including tax audits by the BIR and LGUs-Allow duty-free importation of farm equipment, fertilizer, vehicles, parts and other related farm and mill equipment and machineries-Extend 45-day period to report damage to 6 months-Suspend collection of the withholding taxes for 1 year-Exempt from the coverage of E-VAT all purchases of spare parts, fertilizer and chemicals, warehouse and motorpool materials, farm equipment and vehicles and materials for the repair of factories/processing plants during the rehabilitation and rebuilding period in Yolanda-devastated areas-Since there is no exemption of business permit, real property taxes, and ECF, payment must be staggered for a year

LGUs

BIR, LGUs

DOF, BOC

DOF, BIR

LGUs

sulhogEastern Visayas Yolanda Reconstruction Plan

National Economic and Development AuthorityRegional Office No. VIII

Government Center, Palo, Leytehttp://nro8.neda.gov.ph

[email protected]

sulhog

Documents

poorest region

regional capital

regional economy

plan document

immediate disaster relief

predisaster conditions

poverty reduction

local government units