As part of Yolanda recovery effort
TACLOBAN CITY –Several big ticket projects are to be funded by the national government as part of the rehabilitation effort in the aftermath of supertyphoon Yolanda here in Leyte.
The projects, running into hundreds of million of pesos, are to be implemented in the towns of Palo, Tanauan and here in the city, three of the hardest-hit areas in Leyte.
Among the projects identified under the provincial recovery and rehabilitation plan submitted by the provincial government under Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla includes housing projects, redevelopment of the Government Center in Palo town and the possible relocation of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport to Palo town from Tacloban.
These so-called priority rehabilitation projects were presented to Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson, represented by his assistant secretary, Victor Batac, during the consultative meeting held at the Governor’s Hall of the Leyte Provincial Capitol held on February 7.
For Palo, the projects include the Barayong Housing Project in Barangay Barayong, where 500 houses are to be built and to be undertaken by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) together with the provincial government; the 4.5 kilometer East-Bypass-Road that would run along Brgys. Pawing, Campetic, Guindapunan, San Jose and Arado.
Also included is the Guindapunan Residential and Growth Center which sits on a 34 hectare area and is located 1.5 kilometers north from the town proper of Palo. The area is already home to a number of residential subdivisions and some private commercial establishments.
The provincial government will also focus on the Pawing and Campetic Growth Center which has an initial area of 10 hectares and is located, 2.5 kilometers north of the town.
An estimated P343 million funding is needed for the area’s development.
Also among the priority is the regional and provincial center to house provincial and regional offices of the government.
This is being prioritized as the national rehabilitation plan called for imposing the no-built zone, 40-meter from the shoreline.
Another is the possible relocation of the Tacloban Airport to Palo town. The area proposed for the new airport is 300 hectares and is about 4.3 kilometers south of the town proper.
Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla said she is intent in realizing this project together with the support of the national government as this will boost its economy.
However, despite of the plan to relocate the region’s premier airport to Palo town away from the city, the national government would still fund for its rehabilitation.
About P115 million was estimated to cost for the repair of its shoreline protection, runway and terminal building which was damaged during the supertyphoon.
Also, expansion of the Tacloban Port Area is also being considered. The proposal is to expand the port area to the old Children’s Park, a provincial property adjacent to the present port area
Also included in the priority is the Tanauan relocation housing project where about 260 hectares is made available for housing units intended for families whose houses were destroyed by Yolanda.
AHLETTE C. REYES
Correspondent
