Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led the turn over ceremony of completed housing units to beneficiaries in Mercedes, Eastern Samar last Wednesday, February 10, 2021 in coordination with Task Force Yolanda, the National Housing Authority and LGU officials.
The distribution, the 21st virtual turnover of housing units, was made under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project for Region 8. Nograles heads the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected Areas.
Nograles thanked the NHA for completing the units on schedule and likewise gave credit to the LGU for its full support and coordination during construction.
“We congratulate NHA General Manager Jun Escalada and Regional Manager Engr. Dodong Antiniero for a job well done and to the town of Mercedes, led by Mayor Edwin Quiminales, Vice Mayor Jose Talagtag, Sangguniang Bayan member Zacarias Naldo as well as other local officials for seeing this important project through despite the challenges posed by Covid-19,” the Malacañang official said.
The Cab Sec added that aside from provisions for electricity and water, the units are well-built and located in a secure area where citizens affected by 2013’s Typhoon Yolanda can meaningfully build communities and finally put closure to the calamity.
“The government has turned over 11,125 free housing units in various municipalities in Region 8.”
The government has turned over 11,125 free housing units in various municipalities in Region 8, including Ormoc City, Leyte, (1,419 units); Cabucgayan, Biliran (258 units); Biliran, Biliran (1,265 units); Almeria, Biliran (405 units); Tacloban City, Leyte (4,193 units); Basey, Samar (1,000 units); Burauen, Leyte (187 units); Baybay City, Leyte (356 units); MacArthur, Leyte (112 units); Carigara, Leyte (1,320 units); and Guiuan, Eastern Samar (610 units).
“Housing is among the most lasting gifts any family can receive. We made sure that those who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda get rewarded for their patience and fortitude after all these years. Now they can start anew with a better chapter in their lives,” the Cab Sec explained.
On behalf of the Mercedes LGU, Mayor Quiminales assured Nograles and President Rodrigo Duterte that they would forever be grateful for the government’s assistance and in making them feel their interests are prioritized by national officials.
“The Duterte administration will complete all pending Yolanda housing construction before the President’s term ends in 2022.”
Nograles further stated that the Duterte administration will complete all pending Yolanda housing construction before the President’s term ends in 2022.
“That’s our commitment to the people of Visayas whose lives were affected by Yolanda. We will now change their lives for the better with free housing. We are fully on track with our construction and turn over schedule. The President is always reminding everyone at the Task Force that the construction and distribution needs to be finished soonest.”