City working for release of P8M electrification fund
The city government is closely coordinating with the Department of Energy (DoE) for the release of P8 million electrification fund. The electrification fund is intended for the electrification of San Isidro, Jaro relocation site.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the fund which is mandated under Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001 would be a great help in the city's electrification program particularly in the different relocation sites.
The electrification fund is sourced out from every kilowatt consumed by the consumers from the electricity provider. A 1-peso for every kilowatt is allocated as electrification fund.
Treñas said they are still finalizing the details for the release of the fund to start the electrification project in San Isidro relocation site. They are hoping to implement the electrification project soon.
Currently, San Isidro relocation site is given emphasis with the impending transfer of number of residents affected by Typhoon Frank.
The priority recipients for the relocation site are those families living in evacuation centers and those identified as danger zones such as riverbanks and creeks. The Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (Icupao) is on the process of validating the recipients of the of the city' housing program.
Meanwhile, Treñas said no recipient families would be allowed to transfer at the relocation site unless the construction of common facilities are finished. The common facilities consisting of kitchen, bathroom, comfort rooms and study area are important other than the 50 transit houses being constructed by Slum Dwellers International.
Treñas said two families could be accommodated in one transit house. The construction of transit houses is patterned from Southern Leyte after the place was also hit by flash floods. The transit houses have "loftable designs" which could allow the dwellers to use double-decked bunk.
The loftable design of the transit houses is space saving for the recipient families especially those families with several family members, said Treñas.