Yolanda Bunkhouses ‘Substandard’, ‘Indecently Small’, Experts Say

Following claims that the temporary shelters intended for Yolanda survivors are not substandard, Architect Jun Palafox, consultant of Yolanda rehab czar Panfilo Lacson, said the bunkhouses are “substandard” and “indecently small”. The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), an international relief group, agrees with the architect’s statement.

Gma News Online reported Palafox saying “Would you put your family in that temporary housing? They’re so substandard.” Reports added Palafox said he inspected the bunkhouses in December last year.

The online news said the price for each bunkhouse is worth P838,000 with the room measuring 8.64 square meters that is supposedly fit for small families, but families with six or more members may opt to combine two rooms to have enough space.

CCCM’s Patrick Duigan CCCM said “(a)ll the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) commissioned bunkhouses being developed in Tacloban (and we understand in all locations) are non-compliant in many respects with internationally-recognized standards”, the report said, adding CCCM’s claim that the shelters lack ventilation and present fire risks and safety measures.

However, Duigan clarified that they only pointed out the substandard quality of the structures and not the overpricing adding that the assistance offered by the international community is to help the Philippine government and to assist those affected.

Social Welfare secretary Dinky Soliman, however, reportedly said the bunkhouses will do as of the moment and admitted that the bunkhouses were cramped. Report said Soliman admitted that although the rooms of the shelter are confined but it is better than living in leaking tents. The Welfare secretary said the bunkhouses were only temporary and would be replaced later with better, permanent housing.

Earlier, Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson, who inspected the shelters last Monday, denied the allegations that the bunkhouses were overpriced, saying that contractors were not likely to get kickbacks from the project. Singson inspected the bunkhouses in Barangay Sangkahan in Tacloban city where all parts of bunkhouses are in compliance with the set standards of DPWH.

However, he warns contractors against using the tin roof sheet which were too thin.

Moreover, Eastern Visayas public works and highways regional director Rolando Asis added that the contractors’ failure to pass with the standards would only reflect poorly on their record, Gma News Online said.

Asis said contractors would not be paid for the project aside from destroying and retrofitting structures which are under specification.

Source: Gma News Online