Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led officials from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the beneficiary LGUs in turning over additional free housing units in Concepcion, Iloilo and Basey, Samar last May 26, 2021 as part of a series of virtual turnovers for victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
For Iloilo, 1,803 newly-built houses were given away while Samar received 2,926 units.
“A secure roof above one’s head and the love and care of the community are what will sustain us during this difficult pandemic.”
The distribution is part of the Duterte administration’s commitment “to address the housing needs of affected families and gives them a chance to rebuild.”
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 turned over 41,066 units to different cities and municipalities in Region 6 and 23,067 units in Region 8.
These Yolanda Permanent Housing Projects can be found in the following areas in Region 6: Ajuy, Iloilo (4,215 units), Carles, Iloilo (13,665 units), Culasi, Antique (1,974 units), Altavas, Aklan (393 units), Panit-an, Capiz (572 units), Estancia, Iloilo (3,562 units), Laua-an, Antique (1,267 units), Ivisan, Capiz (672 units), Concepcion, Iloilo (2,803 units), Jamindan, Capiz (535 units), Dumangas, Iloilo (1,993 units), Pilar, Capiz (1,354 units), Pontevedra, Capiz (1,168 units), Pandan, Antique (1,000 units), Panay, Capiz (1,543 units), Barotac Viejo, Iloilo (822 units), Roxas City, Capiz (1,533 units), Anilao, Iloilo (364 units), at Banate, Iloilo (1,631 units).
The Region 8 locations, meanwhile, include the following: Ormoc City, Leyte, (1,419 units); Cabucgayan, Biliran (258 units); Biliran, Biliran (1,265 units); Almeria, Biliran (929 units); Tacloban City, Leyte (8,046 units); Basey, Samar (3,926 units); Burauen, Leyte (187 units); Baybay City, Leyte (356 units); MacArthur, Leyte (112 units); Carigara, Leyte (2,285 units); Guiuan, Eastern Samar (610 units); Inopacan, Leyte (133 units); Mercedes, Eastern Samar (139 units); Gen. MacArthur, Eastern Samar (234 units); at Quinapondan, Eastern Samar (623 units), Sta. Fe, Leyte (500 units), Balangiga, Eastern Samar (383 units), Hernani, Eastern Samar (713 units), at Lawaan, Eastern Samar (949 units).
In his keynote message, Nograles thanked the regional NHA offices and local govenment unit leaders for sustaining the pace of distribution in 2021, commending both their officials and staff for their “dedication and hard work which was unaffected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Malacañang official, who likewise heads the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force, assured the beneficiaries that the houses and the community are complete in basic amenities and facilities.
The Malacañang official, who likewise heads the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force, assured the beneficiaries that the houses and the community are complete in basic amenities and facilities. Community gardens are being set up with assistance from private sector partners to help families earn and learn how to be productive.
According to Nograles, these steps are in line with his personal and the Task Force’s advocacy to fight hunger and poverty in Yolanda-affected areas.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. The mayors and LGU officials of Concepcion, Iloilo and Basey, Samar have all expressed appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte and the NHA for prioritizing their housing needs during this time that we are in a health crisis. A secure roof above one’s head and the love and care of the community are what will sustain us during this difficult pandemic,” the former legislator explained.