Assessment of the Implementation of the Typhoon Yolanda Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck the country on November 8, 2013 leaving behind 6,300 dead persons, 28,689 missing and 1,061 injured. The government estimated the total damage at Php89.598 billion. Under the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan approved by the President in August 2014, the government planned to spend Php170.916 billion over a period of 3 years to to recover, rehabilitate and reconstruct damaged facilities and rebuild the lives of the affected population, guided by the principle of build back better and building resilient communities. Two and a half years since the event of Yolanda, the government’s rehabilitation program implementation is partly achieved but is not without flaws and weaknesses. This paper reflects on the implementation of the rehabilitation plan in the Yolanda affected areas. In a nutshell, the lessons show that rehabilitation is a long, tedious process that requires systematic coordination, commitment and drive to efficiently and effectively deliver public service. The level of accomplishments remain insufficient and slow to significantly reduce the vulnerability of people in high risk areas, raise the level of preparedness, coping ability and adaptation of people in high-risk situations and in times of great disasters. Much remains to be desired in institutionalizing disaster preparedness and mitigation mindset into the systems of government agencies and the people.