Controversial Yolanda

Bunkhouses to be Upsized
Posted on January 11, 2014 by JB Adalia

Bunkhouses built for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Photo

credit: the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Following public outcry regarding the inflated prices on the small-sized

bunkhouses built by the government for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda
[Haiyan], Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson announced on Friday,
January 10, that plans are under way to upsize these structures to
conform to international standards.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was tasked to

build the bunkhouses, each with 24 units measuring 8.64 sq m.
Previously announced to be sufficient for a family of 5, the bunkhouses
were criticized by many international observers, pointing out that such
a floor area is too small for a family to live in.

Other agencies such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management

also criticized the buildings for materials and designs that make these
bunkhouses fire risks. The group also said that the bunkhouses had
poor ventilation and cramped spaces for the families to live in.
Moreover, the group expressed concerns about the security and safety
of those living in the small units.

Singson defends the units, saying that the Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD) has the authority to assign larger
families of more than 4 members to occupy 2 adjacent units. The floor
area can be widened by simply dismantling the plywood barrier
between units, giving the family a bigger home measuring 17.28 sq m.

DPWH continues to build more bunkhouses across Eastern Visayas,

especially in areas hard hit by Yolanda. Singson said that these
structures will be made much larger so as to follow international
standards; however, the overall costs would be different than the
previous bunkhouses considering that the same types of materials will
be used to create these larger buildings.

Singson also brushed off concerns that the bunkhouses were

overpriced, saying that the government wouldnt pay contractors if
substandard materials were used in the construction and if the work
was not within the DPWHs specifications. If that is the case, he
believes that appropriate adjustments will be required of the
contractors so they could meet the agencys standards else they wont
be paid for their efforts and for the materials used. To date, the
contractors have not received any form of payment yet, even down
payment for their services.

He also revealed that there are 42 sites in Eastern Visayas where the
bunkhouses will be built. As many as 87 different contractors are said
to have volunteered their services to hasten the construction of these
bunkhouses, Singson said. He also admitted that no bidding was done
before the project commenced because of the urgent nature of the
project. Still, with so many contractors handling the project, there is
no single contractor holding a large number of contracts. In fact, the
largest project one contractor is working on only involves 6
bunkhouses.

Rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson is conducting an investigation over

allegations that substandard materials were used to build the
bunkhouses which also had outrageous price tags. Singson admits
that Lacson told him the investigation will continue on the matter. He
said that he asked the rehabilitation czar to provide him with proof
regarding the matter so that the problem will be corrected or the
contractor will not be paid unless changes were implemented.