“These aren’t just houses. They represent hope and protection from calamities for the beneficiary families.”
This was the message of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Chairman of Task Force Yolanda, during the 48th virtual turnover ceremony for completed housing units in Brgy. 98 Camansihay, Tacloban City last Friday, July 22, 2021 as part of the Duterte administration’s commitment to develop communities in Yolanda Permanent Housing sites.
Nograles, who likewise heads the Task Force Zero Hunger, emphasized that the resettlement sites would have community gardens set up by private sector partners such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom for immediate food sources and long-term livelihood opportunities.
Nograles expressed elation that they had so far turned over 24,411 houses in Region 8 under the Inter-agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected Areas.
Completed housing units can be found in the following localities in Eastern Visayas: 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); at Villaba, Leyte (358 units).
The Malacañang official thanked LGU officials led by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, as well as city hall officers and employees, commending them also for addressing the needs of constituents and for a successful hosting of the Regional Pre-SONA event.
Acknowledgments were given to National Housing Authority under the able leadership of General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Regional Manager Engr. Constancio Antiniero, Leyte District Office – OIC Engr. Silverio Gempeson Jr., NHA Region 8 staff and other stakeholders who performed their tasks despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.
Nograles, who likewise heads the Task Force Zero Hunger, emphasized that the resettlement sites would have community gardens set up by private sector partners such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom for immediate food sources and long-term livelihood opportunities.
“We’ve been coordinating with PKG and other groups in addressing hunger and malnutrition in our Yolanda-affected areas.”
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. We’ve been coordinating with PKG and other groups in addressing hunger and malnutrition in our Yolanda-affected areas. We want lives to be improved and families and communities to be developed,” the Cab Sec stressed.
In his response, Mayor Romualdez thanked President Duterte, Nograles and the NHA for “always thinking of the people of Leyte,” stating that the government’s efforts would not go unnoticed. Cab Sec Nograles and the President can always count on us for support.”
