Progress being made in Yolanda-affected areas, ADB says

Progress is being made in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda almost a year after the super typhoon hit the Central Philippines, according to Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials.

"We understand there's a high expectation for recovery but four to five years is the norm. But just the same, progress is being made," ADB Vice President for East Asia, Southeast and the Pacific Stephen Groff said, according to a "24 Oras" report that aired on Monday.

"There will always be capacity constraints on the part of the government but these are not unique to the Philippines. Even developed countries like Japan still face challenges," he added.

"Housing policy is one of the most critical because the need for this is massive and 50 percent of damage loss was in housing," ADB country director Richard Bolt said.

On the other hand, ADB recognized that politics cannot be kept from affecting the creation of policies for the recovery of Filipinos.

It however said that it admired the professionalism and dedication of the government, further noting it saw that recovery in Eastern Visayas was faster, compared to Indonesia which was affected by a tsunami in 2004.

ADB believes the supertyphoon had only a minimal effect on the country's gross domestic product (GDP), as Eastern Visayas' contribution to GDP is smaller.

The completion of rehabilitation in affected areas will have a positive effect on the country's economy, ADB said. — Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/JDS, GMA News