Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles as Chairman of Task Force Yolanda, NHA, and LGU officials, distributed free housing units to beneficiaries in Eastern Samar on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, and made a firm commitment that the government will strive harder to provide better service to the people.
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 17,072 houses to different municipalities in Region 8.
“The houses and communities we build have adequate basic facilities such as water and electricity. We will also put up a cohesive livelihood infrastructure that ensures a steady livelihood for the beneficiaries.”
These 17,072 free housing units in various municipalities in Region 8 are in: Ormoc City, Leyte, (1,419 units); Cabucgayan, Biliran (258 units); Biliran, Biliran (1,265 units); Almeria, Biliran (405 units); Tacloban City, Leyte (8,046 units); Basey, Samar (1,000 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); and Quinapondan, Eastern Samar (623 units).
The 623 newly distributed units are located in Town Ville 1, 2, and 3 in Brgy. Buenavista, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar. This was the 28th virtual turnover under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project.
The Malacañang official commended the National Housing Authority for its crucial role in the project, specifically for ensuring the timely turnover of the units to the local government unit.
“We recognize the efforts of NHA General Manager Marcelino Jun Escalada and Regional Manager Engr. Dodong Antiniero together with Phintecstar Construction’s Architect Zoilo Amador for a job well done. We also give special thanks to Quinapondan Mayor Rafael Asebias and other local officials for championing the cause of their constituents.”
The Cabinet Secretary added, “The houses and communities we build have adequate basic facilities such as water and electricity. We will also put up a cohesive livelihood infrastructure that ensures a steady livelihood for the beneficiaries.”
This was the 28th virtual turnover under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project.
Nograles, who likewise chairs the administration’s Task Force Zero Hunger, noted that “kailangan natin magtulungan, through our partnership with Pilpinas Kontra Gutom which is a movement composed of different private corporations, establishments and organizations, we plan to convert idle land and transform them into areas where nutritious food can be grown both for consumption and commerce.“
This was in line with the advocacy to combat hunger and poverty, especially in Yolanda-affected areas.
For his part, Mayor Asebias thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Nograles and the NHA “for showing concerns to the people of Quinapondan. We promise to put these free housing units to good use and make them the foundation of thriving communities. The beneficiaries are forever grateful for this lasting gift of housing.”