By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Nov. 26 (PNA) — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday the government will not allow the construction of houses within a 40-meter “easement” along the coast of Tacloban City.
According to NDRRMC Executive Director Eduardo Del Rosario, the government is set to enforce the 40-meter “no build zones” along the coastlines of the city as these are to be planted with mangroves against storm surges.
”Definitely, the residents are not allowed anymore to occupy the easement of 40 meters as it will be planted with mangroves because per study conducted, mangroves can decrease by 70 percent the spread of storm surge. So mangrove is very important and putting residents within a 40-meter line (from the coastline) will mean another risk or danger for the people,” Del Rosario said during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo Tuesday afternoon.
He added that they will be coordinating with the local government unit (LGU) in the implementation of the easement of 40 meters along the shoreline.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC chief said that the situation in the typhoon-hit Tacloban City is gradually stabilizing as transportation facilities have resumed operations and more banks and business establishments such as drugstores, restaurants and five radio stations have reopened.
“Public utility vehicles are now providing services in the city proper,” he added.
He said that the Department of Trade and Industry continues its “Diskwento Caravan” as it will be sending 20 container vans of various items and construction supplies to provide materials for rebuilding until the situation have completely normalized in Region 8 or Eastern Visayas.
Del Rosario also reported that the Department of Public Works and Highways has already started constructing 116 units of bunkhouses in the region.
“It’s about nine squares meter per room. It’s a long building which has partitions, a centralized kitchen and comfort rooms. Each bunkhouse has provisions for health facilities, a space where doctors and medical assistants can provide treatment. One unit of bunkhouse can accommodate about 24 families or 120 individuals,” he said.
He said the DPWH has already built 10 units of bunkhouses in Tacloban; 11 in Palo, Leyte; 18 in Basey, Samar; 18 in Marabut, Samar; 26 in Guiuan, Samar; 30 in Hernani, Eastern Samar; and three in Giporlos, Eastern Samar. (PNA SCS/CLTC)