Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in coordination with the National Housing Authority and local government officials turned over a total of 1,152 permanent housing units to qualified beneficiaries in Naval, Biliran last September 24, 2021, as part of the housing commitment of Task Force Yolanda which Nograles heads.
The free housing distribution was done through a virtual ceremony, the 54th such event, for the Cool Mont Crest 1 (1,000 units) and Cool Mont Crest 2 (152 units) locations at Brgy. P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project of NHA Region 8.
Nograles pointed the need to expand the reach of government assistance through coordination with the private sector and non-government stakeholders.
During the ceremony, Nograles thanked the National Government as well as the various local government units for their coordination in building a total of 25,907 housing units in Eastern Visayas which were all turned over during his chairmanship of 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: 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 (405 units); Basey, Samar (3,926 units); Burauen, Leyte (187 units); Baybay, Leyte (356 units); MacArthur, Leyte (112 units); Mercedes, E. 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); Almeria, Biliran (524 units); Lawaan, Eastern Samar (949 units); Villaba, Leyte (358 units); San Isidro, Leyte (94 units); Tolosa, Leyte 250 (units); and Naval, Biliran (1,152 units).
The Malacañang official praised the National Housing Authority under the leadership of NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr, Regional Manager Engr. Dodong Antiniero, Engr. Silverio Gempeson Jr, OIC – NHA Leyte I District Office, office staff, as well as various stakeholders for their determination to finish the projects on time despite the challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“Your support and focus means that your constituents would enjoy the fruits of the government’s efforts at providing housing and livelihood.”
Nograles likewise thanked Governor Rogelio Espina, Mayor Gerard Roger Espina, Vice Mayor Vicente Curso Jr., LGU councilors, officials, and personnel of Naval.
“Your support and focus mean that your constituents would enjoy the fruits of government’s efforts at providing housing and livelihood. We recognize everyone for exemplifying true public service and dedication to uplifting the plight of the people. We will ensure that the resettlement sites would provide ample opportunities to start life anew, and addressing the food and nutrition needs of its new residents.”
Mayor Espina for his part thanked President Duterte, Nograles and the NHA for the free housing, stressing “these give us closure to Yolanda, and assure the people of Biliran that the Duterte administration is there for us.”
Nograles ended by emphasizing “Kailangan natin magtulungan” and pointing to the need to expand the reach of government assistance through coordination with the private sector and non-government stakeholders.
