ADB proposes JFPR project for Southern Leyte landslide disaster assistance
by Rebecca Cadavos
MAASIN CITY (14 October) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently presented prospective project to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) meeting for possible assistance to the landslide-hit areas in Southern Leyte.
ADB representatives Ephrem Cortes and Jing Lichaca proposed the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) project to the PDCC members chaired by Gov. Rosette Lerias. as their response to the calamity that hit some areas of Southern Leyte. The areas identified were the municipalities of San Francisco, Liloan, Sogod, Bontoc, St. Bernard and the City of Maasin that are considered as directly hit and the municipalities of San Ricardo, Hinunangan and Malitbog as high risk areas.
JPFR’s goal according to Cortes is to reduce poverty among urban poor of selected communities. Though, there were already different international and national non-government organizations and government agencies that responded to the disaster that earlier hit Brgy. Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, ADB is willing to grant assistance through JFPR Cortes disclosed.
ADB was requesting the PDCC body to prepare a proposal to be able to get the assistance needed. ADB consultant will validate the needs assessment
of the identified areas. It has to be finalized so that it will serve as the main document for development partners to use on what and how much assistance to be given, Cortes further said.
The ADB appropriated about Php3 million for the province but still subject for the approval upon completion of the validation. They will give priority to livelihood projects and a portion of it will be for housing assistance. Cortes revealed.
Cortes said that ADB’s objective is to assist the province of Southern Leyte identify more clearly the needs, issues, problems and gaps in the affected communities, ensure that these are the real needs of the affected communities and serve as the basis for developing, designing and packaging poverty alleviation and disaster related projects for funding of various donor organizations including the JFPR.
He further presented the methodology ADB had lined-up, the formation of a technical working group (TWG) and series of meetings and consultations with different agencies concerned. (PIA) [top]
