Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, together with IATF Yolanda, NHA and LGU officials, turned over 1,543 housing units in Panay, Capiz last Tuesday, March 16, 2021 as part of the government’s commitment to finish all Yolanda housing projects by 2022.
Since assuming the chairmanship of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected Areas, Nograles has led the government’s turnover of 26,036 free housing units in different municipalities in Region 6.
“The Constitution provides that the family is the foundation of society, that’s why the Duterte administration has prioritized the funding and implementation of programs that address the urgent needs of Filipino families.”
This was the 26th virtual turnover for the Yolanda housing project. The units are located at Panay Ville Site 1 with 1,000 units and Panay Ville Site 2 with 543 units. in Brgy. Tabuc/Ilaya.
In his message, the Malacanang official stressed that “the Constitution provides that the family is the foundation of society, that’s why the Duterte administration has prioritized the funding and implementation of programs that address the urgent needs of Filipino families.”
Nograles made special mention of the role of women in and out of the household, citing the need to recognize women, as part of Women’s Month in March under Proclamation 227, Series of 1998.
The distribution of housing units was made possible through the successful coordination among public sector stakeholders, led by the National Housing Authority under General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. and Regional Manager Engr. Antonio Del Rosario, as well as Mayor Felipe Barredo and other local government officials, who all showed support and lent invaluable cooperation to the construction effort.
The communities will enjoy amenities and will eventually receive provisions for creating livelihood opportunities.
Nograles, who also chairs the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force, reiterated the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte that each free housing unit will have electricity and water. The communities will enjoy amenities and will eventually receive provisions for creating livelihood opportunities.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. For example, we have partnered with Pilipinas Kontra Gutom for the setting up of community gardens that can be a source of food for both consumption and commerce. We’re also coordinating with the private sector for the additional assistance and technical know-how.”
For his part, Panay, Capiz Mayor Barredo thanked Nograles, Duterte and the NHA for the gift of housing, stating that “we were not forgotten by the President. We in turn would forever be grateful to him and to CabSec Nograles for fulfilling the promise to change the lives of people here for the better.”