“We need to ensure the safety of every Filipino family, that’s why the government has expended every effort to ensure the protection of our kababayans during this typhoon season when many families are vulnerable to weather disturbances.”
This was the statement of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles during the 50th virtual turnover of 94 housing units at the San Antonio Homes site in Brgy. Linao, San Isidro, Leyte last August 5, 2021, made possible through the joint efforts of the National Housing Authority and the local government unit.
“Together with lead government agencies and stakeholders, we fast-tracked the completion and turnover of the housing units because the President does not want our beneficiaries to wait any further.”
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, said that “we have constructed and distributed 24,955 free housing units in various cities and municipalities in Region 8 since 2019, and we will be turning over more units until the President’s term ends.”
Completed housing units can be found in the following localities: Carigara, Leyte (2,285 units); Inopacan, Leyte (133 units); Tacloban City (9,032 units); Guiuan, Eastern Samar (610 units); Ormoc City, Leyte (1,419 units); Cabucgayan, Biliran (258 units); Biliran, Biliran (1,265 units); Almeria, Biliran (929 units); Basey, Samar (3,926 units); Burauen, Leyte (187 units); Baybay, Leyte (356 units); MacArthur, Leyte (112 units); Mercedes, Eastern Samar (139 units); Gen. MacArthur, Eastern Samar (234 units); Quinapondan, Eastern Samar (623 units); Sta. Fe, Leyte (500 units); Balangiga, Eastern Samar (383 units); Hernani, Eastern Samar (713 units); Lawaan, Eastern Samar (949 units); Villaba, Leyte (358 units); and San Isidro, Leyte (94 units).
The Malacañang official stressed the importance of close coordination between the NHA and beneficiary LGUs as the reason for the quick implementation of the Duterte administration’s Yolanda Housing Program in different areas in the Visayas.
“We’re deeply thankful to NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., Regional Manager Engr. Dodong Antiniero, District Manager Marilyn Lauzon, and the officers and staff of NHA Region VIII. We also recognize Mayor Remedio Veloso, Vice Mayor Isidro Balmoria and Sangguniang Bayan members for their full cooperation and support,” the Cabinet Secretary noted.
Nograles, who likewise heads the Task Force Zero Hunger, emphasized that the resettlement site would have community gardens set up by private sector partners such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) for immediate food sources and long-term livelihood opportunities.
“Together with lead government agencies and stakeholders, we fast-tracked the completion and turnover of the housing units because the President does not want our beneficiaries to wait any further, ” he added.
Nograles, who likewise heads the Task Force Zero Hunger, emphasized that the resettlement site would have community gardens set up by private sector partners such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) for immediate food sources and long-term livelihood opportunities.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. We’ve been closely coordinating with PKG and other partners to address hunger and malnutrition in our Yolanda-affected areas. Our communities cannot stand up and develop without needed assistance in fighting poverty. That’s our priority.”
On the LGU’s part, Mayor Veloso expressed profuse thanks to President Duterte, Nograles and the NHA for completing the housing projects and fulfilling the promise of free housing to the people of Leyte, further saying “we will not forget how the administration changed the people’s lives for the better.”
