Yolanda victims in Central Visayas get training on reconstruction

With aid for victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) now shifting to reconstruction, residents of Central Visayas affected by the killer cyclone are being trained in construction-related skills.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Region 7 said an initial 100 victims are to be trained in four reconstruction-related skills.

State-run Philippine Information Agency quoted TESDA Central Visayas regional director Rosanna Urdaneta as saying the skills training for typhoon victims include "carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrification."

Yolanda battered Visayas and parts of Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving over 6,000 dead.

After one month, authorities are shifting their efforts from giving aid to the affected families to helping them reconstruct their homes.

Urdaneta says initial 100 typhoon victims to be trained @ 25 each in carpentry, masonry, electrification, plumbing. #ReliefPH #YolandaPH

— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) December 12, 2013

After that, Urdaneta said the trained victims will build three model houses in Bantayan Island and will be paid under the Department of Labor and Employment's emergency employment program.

Urdaneta says model house cost P70T each, to be given to poorest typhoon victim chosen by LGU. #ReliefPH #YolandaPH

— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) December 12, 2013

Also, also Uedaneta said the trained typhoon victims may be tapped for subcontracting services in the future.

Meanwhile, she appealed to the private sector to help sustain progress and donate construction mats to build houses for typhoon victims.

Water purifiers

Meanwhile, the PIA reported US-based NGO Waterstep will give 60 M-100 chlorine generators for typhoon-hit areas.

M-100 units to chlorinate 250 L/min. water, making it safe for drinking. #ReliefPH #YolandaPH

— PIA Central Visayas (@PIACentralViz) December 12, 2013

Waterstep CEO Mark Hoggs said each unit costs $1,000, excluding the tank and car battery.

For its part, the DOLE in Cebu said 480 typhoon victims from northern Cebu availed of emergency employment.

DOLE Cebu head Grace Diaz said they are now working on clearing debris from roads and canals.

But she said the emergency employment is good for 15 days only, with a daily wage depending on the town classification.

She said the first batch of 480 workers will end their stint Dec. 23, and would have earned some P4,000 for Christmas.

On the other hand, she said the DOLE will hold a job fair on Dec. 14 in Ormoc City for local and overseas employment. — LBG, GMA News