“The Duterte administration wants to assure that 400 families from Aklan will live in safe, secure, and sturdy houses so they can live peacefully and form close communities.”
This was the statement of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles during the virtual turnover of 400 housing units in Briones Village, Brgy. Briones, Kalibo, Aklan on August 26, made possible through the joint efforts of the National Housing Authority and the local government unit.
“The successive turnovers in Yolanda-affected regions are a fulfilment of the promise of the government to uplift the lives of those who were impacted by this typhoon.”
Nograles, chair of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected areas expressed elation at having participated in the turnover ceremony for the family-beneficiaries.
According to the Malacañang official, a total of 44,069 free housing units have been turned over in various cities and municipalities in Region 6 since 2019 since he assumed the Task Force leadership, adding that “we plan to distribute more units until the President’s term ends.”
Completed housing units can be found in the following localities: Ajuy, Iloilo (4,215 units); Carles, Iloilo (13,665 units); Culasi, Antique (1,974 units); Altavas, Aklan (393 units); Panit-an, Capiz (572 units); Estancia, Iloilo (3,562 units); Laua-an, Antique (1,267 units); Ivisan, Capiz (672 units); Concepcion, Iloilo (2,803 units); Jamindan, Capiz (535 units); Dumangas, Iloilo (1,993 units); Pilar, Capiz (1,354 units); Pontevedra, Capiz (1,168 units); Pandan, Antique (1,000 units); Panay, Capiz (1,543 units); Barotac Viejo, Iloilo (822 units); Roxas City, Capiz (1,533 units); Anilao, Iloilo (364 units); Banate, Iloilo (1,631 units); Bugasong, Antique (2,603 units); and Kalibo, Aklan (400 units).
The Cabinet Secretary likewise noted that President Duterte recently encouraged the NHA to complete all pending construction projects until December 2021. In a meeting on July 5, the different NHA Regional Managers accepted the challenge of the President and laid out concrete action plans to distribute all pending units to meet the new deadline.
“The successive turnovers in Yolanda-affected regions are a fulfilment of the promise of the government to uplift the lives of those who were impacted by this typhoon,” Nograless stated.
“We’re deeply thankful to NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., Regional Manager Engr. Rizalino Cabahug, District Manager Arch. Jesus Fantilaga, and ther officers and staff of NHA Region VI. We also recognize Mayor Emerson Lachica, Vice Mayor Cynthia dela Cruz, councilors and the LGU staff for their full cooperation and support.”
The Cabinet Secretary likewise noted that President Duterte recently encouraged the NHA to complete all pending construction projects until December 2021.
Nograles, who likewise heads the Task Force Zero Hunger, emphasized that the resettlement site would also have livelihood projects geared toward food sources and long-term income-earning opportunities.
“We’re nearing the August 30 commemoration of National Heroes Day. We honor our public servants and citizens for their resilience in the face of challenges, particularly those brought about by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”
On the LGU’s part, Lachica Veloso expressed eternal thanks to President Duterte, Nograles and the NHA for completing the housing projects and fulfulling the promise of assistance to the people of Aklan, saying that “we will not forget how the Duterte administration changed the people’s lives for the better.”
