Monday, March 23, 2015

Convergence speeds up core shelters construction



DAVAO ORIENTAL March 23, 2015 – Some 1,255 certificates of occupancy were awarded to typhoon

Pablo survivors in the three hard-hit towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga during the recent round of turn-over ceremonies held last March 17, 2015.

Priscilla N. Razon, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI, said that although building shelters in such a massive scale is no easy job, the strong support of the Provincial Government made its implementation a lot easier.

 Director Razon lauded the initiative of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon who took the lead in the quick construction of these core shelters, noting Davao Oriental as one of the ‘fastest’ local government unit among all areas affected by disasters in terms of implementation of this housing project.

Funded under the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) of the DSWD, the implementation of this massive housing project is spearheaded by the Provincial Government who also bears the procurement of resettlement sites.

Housing beneficiaries in this latest batch of turned-over housing units include 650 in Baganga town, 510 in Cateel town and 95 in Boston town.

To date, a total of 15,265 disaster-resilient houses have been turned over as symbol of security, progress, opportunities and new beginnings for typhoon Pablo survivors.

Meanwhile, among the houses turned over were 34 units constructed by 534th Engineering Company Battalion under the 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army. Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Francis Marlon S. Wong, who was assisted by Lt. Col. Michael A. Banua, 67th Infantry Battalion Commander, handed over the ceremonial key to Governor Malanyaon as a testament of the Philippine Army's genuine endeavor to help people restore their lives through 'Bayanihan'.

LTC Michael A. Banua, 67th Infantry Battalion Commander encouraged residents to help preserve the peace and order in their own communities. He also urged them to do their respective functions and roles in keeping Davao Oriental peaceful and become active in the government’s development efforts.

For Melden Manaopanao, a recipient of a newly built shelter in Cogon, Barangay Alegria, Cateel, these

houses were the symbol of government’s care for its people. Married to a 34-year old farmer and a mother of four, Manaopanao family’s is also a beneficiary of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program where they enjoy a monthly subsidy from the government to support their children’s education.

During the ceremonial turn over, Governor Malanyaon reminded the beneficiaries to also offer their counterpart by not only keeping their communities clean and orderly, but also to help themselves improve their lives by seizing the abounding livelihood opportunities that would help them break away from the clutches of poverty. (By Van Jorain O. Rufin)

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