More Pablo survivors receive new, safer homes from DSWD

Some 2,779 more family-survivors of Typhoon Pablo from the towns of Bangaga, Cateel, Boston, and Tarragona in Davao Oriental have received new safer homes from Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon during a simple turnover ceremony over the weekend.

The shelter units were built through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) in partnership with the provincial local government.

With the turn over of these houses, a total of 10,716 units have already been completed for ‘Pablo’ survivors .

Each shelter unit has a lot area of 70 square meters. It has a two-room division, bathroom, and separate kitchen. Its walls are concrete and newly-painted.

Upon seeing her new home, Virginia Otig, 69, a widower who lives alone, cannot contain her happiness especially when Sec. Soliman handed her the Certificate of Occupancy.

“Sa totoo lang, mas maganda pa itong bahay na ito kaysa doon sa nawala naming bahay. Bagong buhay talaga ang dala ng bahay na ito [The truth is, this house is even better in terms of materials compared to what I had before the storm wiped it out. I’m truly lucky and I’m really grateful. It’s like claiming a new lease on life],” shared Virgina, as tears welled up her eyes.

Virgina said that after the typhoon, she collected the debris she found on the streets, made herself a makeshift shelter, and went through cold and uncomfortable nights without a proper bed and a roof above her head.

“Iba talaga kapag may totoong bahay kang tinitirahan. Aalagaan ko ang bahay na ito [It is really different if you live in a real house. I will take good care of this house),” Virgina said.

Sec. Soliman in her message emphasized that the permanent homes would not have been completed without the cooperation of the local government units and the beneficiaries who helped build the units through the DSWD Cash for Work program.

“Bawat isa sa inyo dito ay parte ng proyekto. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit magaganda ang mga bahay ninyo, dahil kayo mismo ang gumawa nito. Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtutulungan upang tuluyan na ang ating pagbangon [Everyone of you here is part of this project. That’s the reason why these houses are beautiful because you, the owners also assisted in building it. Let us continue to work together and help each one rise up and get on with our interrupted lives],” Sec. Soliman said.

Aside from permanent shelters, earlier on, the survivors also received family food packs, emergency shelter assistance, supplementary feeding program, social pension, cash assistance, and livelihood opportunities from DSWD. (DSWD)