RAVAGED. A community in Limasawa, Southern Leyte battered by Typhoon Odette in this Dec. 27, 2021 photo, a week after the disaster. At least PHP14.9 billion worth of projects have been endorsed for the recovery of communities hit by “Odette” in Southern Leyte province and some parts of Leyte, the National Economic and Development Authority said on Thursday (July 21, 2022). (PNA file photo)
TACLOBAN CITY – At least PHP14.9 billion worth of projects have been endorsed for the recovery of communities hit by Typhoon Odette in Southern Leyte province and some parts of Leyte, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Thursday.
These projects, listed in the 136-page post-typhoon rehabilitation and recovery program, have been approved for funding prioritization by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), NEDA 8 (Eastern Visayas) assistant director Jam Colas said.
“The target is (to) complete all these projects within three years. We are assured of funding since projects included in the recovery plan (do) not go through the regular budget deliberation process,” Colas said during a press briefing.
These projects include school buildings, health centers, local government facilities, roads and bridges, and temporary shelters.
According to an NDRRMC situational report, more than 1.2 million individuals, or 28.8 percent of the total population of Eastern Visayas, were affected by “Odette” when it crossed the region on Dec. 16, 2021.
As of January 25, the region recorded 19 dead, 373 injured, and four missing.
Southern Leyte ranks first among the region’s provinces in terms of the number of typhoon-affected individuals, having the highest number of reported dead and injured.
A portion of the southern part of Leyte province also suffered damage as heavy rainfall triggered landslides on its mountainous side.
NEDA-8 records estimated the total damage, losses, and needs in Southern Leyte due to “Odette” at PHP75.5 billion.
The housing sector incurred the biggest damage at PHP17.8 billion while social sector losses ran into PHP2.1 billion.
Meanwhile, the total damage incurred from the typhoon in the five towns of Leyte reached PHP1.6 billion. The majority or PHP1.3 billion, accounts for the destruction of infrastructure, and the rest for damage to agriculture. (PNA)
