By F. N. Codilla
ORMOC CITY, Sept 3 (PNA) — While the trail of destruction caused by super typhoon Yolanda is still apparent in some parts of Eastern Visayas, there is one local government unit (LGU) that was able to restore a great deal of normalcy in its facilities and is now working on the full recovery of its community.
The barangay (village) government of Tongonan here rose above adversity and proved that things can be done with political will.
It was difficult for Barangay Captain Isagani P. Bañez considering that the monster storm rampaged through three weeks before assuming his position. Bañez was village chief for 13 straight years from 1997 but had to give way to his brother Periander in 2011 because of term limits.
Thus, when he regained his position as barangay captain, his first move was to organize the Post Disaster Assessment and Evaluation Committee. The committee placed the destruction of all properties (both government and private) in Tongonan at P18 million. This includes 338 destroyed houses and 136 homes rendered roofless worth P9.8 million as well as agriculture losses amounting to P10 million.
In order to operate effectively, Bañez prioritized the rehabilitation of buildings primarily the barangay hall, health and patient receiving center, SB session hall and guesthouse.
The barangay spent P3.5 million to restore the roofs and trusses of these structures, and another P1 million to replace office equipment like desktop computers, airconditioning units, furniture and fixtures, copiers, and other appliances and equipment.
The barangay has a 650kVA standby generator set which was controversial when it was acquired in 2009 as it was unappreciated by critics who didn’t see any use for it. But the more than P900,000 worth generator proved its usefulness when the entire Eastern Visayas was plunged into darkness during the aftermath of the typhoon.
For five months, the generator powered the government compound, allowing the village to function efficiently. With unhampered power supply, the health and patient receiving center continued to provide services including free deliveries, while the potency of medicines stored in the facility was preserved.
The barangay went on to rehabilitate basic infrastructure like the box spring/reservoir and water distribution pipeline to the tune of P2 million. Another P3.5 million was disbursed for the installation of streetlights and drop lines for household electric connections which the Barangay LGU had been providing for free.
The completion of these rehabilitation works was rushed in time for Bañez’s first 100 days in office wherein he delivered his State of Barangay Address. Bañez’s prudent financial spending proved crucial during these crisis times as the Barangay LGU used its unappropriated surpluses and savings from unimplemented projects of previous years.
Still, the reserve funds were not enough to cover all the reconstruction efforts. Of the P5 million needed for the household shelter reconstruction program, the Barangay LGU could allot almost P1 million only for the labor, fuel and chainsaw rental used to slice lumber from fallen trees that were distributed to the residents.
Village officials also plan to disburse P2 million for farmers’ assistance particularly in the distribution of seeds as well as post-harvest facilities and equipment. Another plan is to provide financial assistance to indigent families to the tune of P1 million.
Unfortunately, the barangay has used up its reserves, reason why it is turning now to the city government and national agencies like the Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Agriculture to finance the rest of its requirements for recovery.
Bañez said he believes that Tongonan should be rewarded for judiciously using its financial assets. (PNA)