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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