In the first of our monthly Tigerair contests, we asked readers to answer this question.
We received some very interesting answers. We like this one best because it responds directly to the most pressing needs of Tacloban’s people while making sure they play a dynamic role in their city’s recovery and transformation.
Rebuilding is a complicated process. My suggestions are for Tacloban or a similar urban area and can be implemented in the next 6 months:
1. Restore the LGU hierarchy (Mayor to Barangay) during the recovery phase (now). This is critical especially in channeling relief efforts. Having an official work-flow will prevent parallel or overlapping operations, which can cause conflicts among the providers and/or the beneficiaries.
2. The survivors must be given shelter on a selected and secure area. I prefer building bunkhouses over tent cities because bunkhouses are sturdier and more secure than tents. Bunkhouses are also conducive for restoring the dignity of the survivors, many of whom had lost everything in a traumatic way.
3. Prior to rebuilding, the services of an experienced urban planner must be acquired by the LGU to work with the City Administrator so that the city can be planned in a better manner, e.g. to ensure the balance of commercial, residential, public, and service spaces, as well as building infrastructures that will mitigate the impact of future events, such as sea walls and permanent evacuation facilities.
4. During the rebuilding itself, put the citizens to work through a cash-for-
work program. This way, those who lost their jobs have the chance to earn once again for their families; at the same time, this will give them a sense of ownership of the city because of their role in the actual rebuilding of the city.
5. Prioritization in the rebuilding must be exercised: roads first, service buildings like schools, hospitals and clinics next followed by the local government offices.
6. Similarly, a food-for-school program can also be implemented for the children of the survivors for them to return to and stay in school. For each day of school attendance of a child, his/ her household will receive a specific amount of food.
7. As the rebuilding progresses, the LGU must institutionalize a city-wide disaster response plan that will be strictly implemented as necessary. Such disaster plan must be disseminated well, supported by an education campaign so that everyone understands what to do, who to see and where to go during emergency events. Education campaigns must comprise of conducting “drills” for typhoons, earthquakes, etc., education sessions down to the barangay level, and other communication activities.
8. Rebuilding assistance of various organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Gawad Kalinga, and the like must be coordinated with the LGU so that their construction projects will be in compliance with the urban plan that the city has formulated.
So our winner is the boomerang kid. Congratulations, you receive a Php5,000 voucher from Tigerair Philippines that you can exchange for a round-trip ticket to any of their domestic destinations. We’ll email you instructions for collecting your prize.
The next Tiger Test will be posted on Friday. Join our Tiger Test to win free tickets to Tigerair destinations.
This contest is sponsored by Tigerair Philippines. To find out more about Tigerair deals and promos, follow TigerAir Philippines on Facebook and Twitter.
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