Duterte extends term of task force implementing projects in Yolanda-affected areas

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the life of the task force that is implementing projects and programs for communities ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. 

Duterte’s Administrative Order (AO) 33 extended the term of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected areas (IATF-Yolanda) until the end of his presidency on June 30, 2022. 

“The IATF-Yolanda shall be deemed dissolved on June 30, 2022, unless it is sooner terminated by the President,” the AO stated, which took effect immediately. 

The task force’s initial three-year term was supposed to end August 12, 2020 but Duterte acknowledged that much work remains to be done. 

For instance, 129,484 housing units have so far been completed while 49,112 units were still undergoing construction (89.3% combined accomplishment rate). Also, only 241 of the 363 permanent resettlement projects (66%) have access to electricity.  

“To facilitate the completion of the above projects, as well as the other component programs in the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan, there is a need to extend the term of the IATF-Yolanda,” the AO stated. 

Duterte also directed the task force headed by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles to publish a final report on its accomplishments, including projects and programs implemented, and total budget used prior to its dissolution.
 
The President signed the AO on September 16, a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Monday. 

Yolanda hit Tacloban and other parts of Visayas on November 8, 2013, killing 6,300 people and injuring over 28,000 others. The damage brought about by the super typhoon was estimated to be around P89 billion. —KG, GMA News