What happened to the implementation of the “No Build Zone” policy that prohibits structures within 40 meters from the coastline in all areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda?
How about communities along river banks and waterways that were also devastated by the super typhoon due to massive flooding, are they not supposed to be covered by the said Policy?
Is the government really serious in implementing the same?
If indeed they are serious about it, why is it that it is not being implemented almost two years after we were hit by typhoon “Yolanda”.
As we face another threat brought about by Super Typhoon “Chedeng” We can’t afford to lose many lives due to inaction of government officials and the agencies that they represents.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Tacloban in 2014 passed an ordinance declaring “No Build Zone” within 40 meters from the coastline in areas affected by “Typhoon Yolanda”.
So, what’s the status of the implementation of this ordinance? The ball is now with the City Mayor of Tacloban who is supposed to implement the same.
How about the national government agencies such as DPWH, DENR and The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) which was created by virtue of Memorandum Order No. 62; whose mandate is to formulate and put together an over-all strategic vision and integrated short term, medium-term, and long-term plans and programs for typhoon Yolanda affected communities.
We cannot rely on the local government units alone to implement the policy due to its limited power and resources. We need the assistance of the national government on the matter.
Say for example, the city government and other LGU’s could provide a relocation site for the affected communities, who will take charge in providing for the housing and other amenities that will respond to the needs of the community?
It is so unfortunate that it is not in the list of their priorities as of the moment and it seems that we have to wait for another catastrophic typhoon to hit us before they will heed our call for action.
As the Presidential and local elections approaches, the possibility of addressing these issues is becoming nil to none.
