Naval detachment in Zamboanga City gets funding; Abad: funds for 11 of 13 projects in Zambo rehab already released

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 27): Naval detachment in Zamboanga City gets funding; Abad: funds for 11 of 13 projects in Zambo rehab already released

More than two years after the siege by a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Zamboanga City, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the funds for all but two projects in the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) plan, which includes the building of a Fleet-Marine detachment.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said the recent release of Php124.77 million to the Philippine Navy last October 15—for the construction of a Fleet-Marine detachment in Rio Hondo village—makes for 11 out of a total of 13 projects under the Z3R plan with allotment releases.

The Php124.77 million released to the Philippine Navy will cover the building of the detachment in Rio Hondo, the site of the September 2013 siege that shut down Zamboanga City for almost three weeks. This fund was charged against the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (NDRMMF) and pursuant to the approval of the Office of the President.

The budget chief said the two remaining projects with unreleased funds pertain to the construction of water systems and treatment facilities and the reconstruction of water lines and facilities of Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD).

The total amount of Php527.08 million for the construction of water systems and treatment facilities in various affected villages shall be released to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) as recommended by the Department of the Public Works and Highways (DPWH), instead of the National Housing Authority (NHA) as initially approved.

The amount of Php27.73 million for the reconstruction of water lines and facilities of the ZCWD was a newly-added project to the Z3R as requested by the DPWH last month. Approval for the release of funds is pending with the Office of the President.

“The National Government faced a number of challenges in implementing ‘Build Back Better’ in the aftermath of the Zamboanga City siege. But we’ve managed to complete the projects for permanent housing and support facilities, repair of school buildings, barangay halls, and sport centers, and road projects,” Abad said.

“Now we’re beginning the construction of the Rio Hondo naval facility, which will not only bolster the recovery in the area, but also strengthen the military operations of our armed forces,” the budget chief added.

In aftermath of the siege, Php3.9 billion was required for the relief and rehabilitation of affected communities based on the estimates of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Z3R plan addresses the long-term aspects of recovery for Zamboanga City, from the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure to the resettlement of internally displaced people.

In 2014, Php2.6 billion was released to DPWH and NHA to build permanent housing project for affected families. The permanent shelter assistance package funded 6,500 housing units, specifically 4,247 houses on stilts, and 2,253 houses on land (1,893 duplex loftable and 360 two-storey units). An additional Php347.32 million was released for the construction of more houses and support facilities.

Among units completed were those in Martha Drive Subdivision, Paniran Resettlement, St. Peter’s Compound, the Islamic Village, Lustre HOA Subdivision, and the houses on stilts in Mariki and Taluksangay.

For the construction and repair of school buildings affected by the siege, Php120.08 million was released to the Department of Education. At present, repairs were already completed at the Sta. Barbara Central School while procurement in 19 other schools are on-going. Meanwhile, a separate funding of Php31.15 million for the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology had been released for the repair and rehabilitation of academic buildings and facilities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=820025