R

esidents of West Java have started rebuilding their houses that were destroyed by the recent earthquake despite the government not disbursing the Rp 1.78 trillion (US$178 million) funds promised.

Engkos of Pelabuhanratu said that he had already started working on his house that was ruined in the Sept. 2 quake, without having received any financial assistance, as he was worried about the incoming rainy season.

"We cannot wait for government funding. How long are we expected to stay in makeshift tents?" Engkos told Antara state news agency on Tuesday.

Nene of Ciamis said she had left Brunei Darussalam to help her mother rebuild her house.

"Actually, I had not planned to return home this Idul Fitri. But I have to help my parents rebuild their house," Nene said.

She asked her employer in Brunei for permission to return home two days after the quake.

Another survivor, Udin of Tasikmalaya, hoped the government would soon disburse the fund to renovate his house. "We are poor people who need the government's help."

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake destroyed thousands of houses in the province and killed more than 70 people.

West Java Governor Heryawan said on Saturday that his administration needed Rp 1.78 trillion to repair 200,194 houses destroyed by the quake.

"We approached the central government on Tuesday asking for funding. The amount would be go toward rebuilding houses, but would exclude repairs of public facilities," Heryawan told reporters.

He said the central government had asked the provincial administration to provide Rp 250 billion of the total funds needed for house repairs.

"While the municipal and regency administration are also asked to provide funds depending on how much they can afford to hand out."

He said his administration would allocate Rp 250 billion from the current 2009 budget. "We have proposed a review of the budget, allocating Rp 250 billion for repairs."

However, Heryawan could not say when the funds from the government would be disbursed, hoping that 50 percent of the amount would be received before the current Cabinet ended its term next month.

"Based on the commitment between the central government and local administration, the reconstruction of the houses should end in February next year," the governor said.

Heryawan said residents could get together to repair houses, a practice carried out in Yogyakarta after the 2006 quake.

"A group can rebuild 10 houses," he added, without mentioning the amount of money needed to renovate a house.