DAVAO ORIENTAL, Aug. 18--- About 1,047 more housing units were turned over to typhoon Pablo-affected families in Boston, Cateel, and Baganga, Wednesday, August 13.
The beneficiaries, who call themselves proud owners of these new houses, say they are very thankful and overwhelmed to receive them.
“My heart swells with joy. We never expected we would be given a house for free,” said one housing beneficiary, who lost his house as typhoon Pablo ravaged their town in 2012.
Implemented under the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP), the massive construction of houses is a joint effort between the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who funds the construction cost and the Provincial Government, who subsidizes the cost for resettlement sites.
DSWD Regional Director Priscilla Razon, said this milestone could not have been possible without the provincial government’s active role in the project. “They [the provincial government] paved the way so that we could execute our interventions a lot easier,” she said.
She also mentioned the role of convergence and partnership in putting this massive housing program to reality.
Noting the province’s remarkable development from being a badly devastated wasteland into being a staggeringly progressing haven, Razon said she is in awe of how the people remarkably recovered despite the huge devastation they had faced.
To date, a total of 3,218 houses have already been completed and turned over. This already include the recently turned over housing units constructed by the Philippine Army’s 544th Engineer Construction Battalion in Brgy. Ban-ao, Baganga and Brgy. Alegria, Cateel.
Based on DSWD reports, 1,568 units were completed in Cateel, 1,218 in Baganga, and 432 in Boston, which accounts for about 16% of the total target of 19,880.
Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon explained that delays of the construction were due to the Low Pressure Areas and Typhoon Agaton earlier this year, which caused massive damage to roads and bridges, thus delaying the transport of equipment and materials.
The governor, however, is hopeful that 70% of the total target will be completed and turned-over before the second anniversary of Typhoon Pablo, which will be on December this year.
Meanwhile, DSWD assured that this housing project would not be the last of their assistance to the province as they will be engaging on more livelihood programs, particularly on agri-based production and micro-enterprising strategies programs.
Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon lauded the DSWD for keeping their commitment to the province despite the fact that the agency had been stretching their coffers to meet the needs of the province and other areas that were hit recently by disasters.
She also thanked DSWD for giving typhoon victims a chance for a fresh start. “This milestone opens more opportunities for our people. These new homes are the symbol of security and a boost in the economy,” she said. “Indeed, all these developments are just the beginning,” she added.
On September, she said, the province together with the DSWD and various stakeholders will sit down for a meeting to discuss further livelihood opportunities for the typhoon-hit areas.
“This is the result of our convergence, cooperation and resiliency. What we should do now is to help one another and focus more on our development,” said the governor. PIO with reports from Van Jorain O. Rufin
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