Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led officials from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the beneficiary LGU in turning over free housing units in Estancia, Iloilo last May 19, 2021 in what was called “one of the most important gifts of the Duterte administration to victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which will pave the way for rebuilding communities and families.”
In the 35th virtual ceremony for the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project, an additional 320 housing units were turned over to the LGU at the Regeneracion Site 3 in Barangay Gogo, Estancia.
As head of the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger, the Malacañang official noted that the resettlement areas are meant as hubs of commerce, with the establishment of community gardens and other sources of livelihood.
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 36,306 units to different cities and municipalities in Region 6.
Complete housing units have been distributed to the following areas in Western Visayas: Ajuy, Iloilo (4,215 units); Carles, Iloilo (10,708 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 (1,000 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); and Banate, Iloilo (1,631 units).
In his keynote message, Nograles thanked the local government unit leaders, led by Mayor Melina Requinto, and their municipal officials and staff who all contributed to the effort of ensuring the smooth turnover of the housing units.
The Cabinet Secretary added: “We likewise recognize the dedication of the NHA, particularly General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., together with Regional Manager Engr. Antonio Del Rosario, and District Manager Fe Jamoyot for ensuring the project’s timely completion. Kailangan natin magtulungan. For this milestone project, everybody worked as a team, and this is reflected in the excellent results for the benefit of the people of Estancia. Our dedicated NHA officials are the epitome of model public service.”
“Estancia is rich in history, having been recognized as a pueblo in 1847 and acknowledged as a cradle of resistance to foreign rule. Its bountiful natural resources also add to the livelihood of the people.”
Nograles was quick to stress that these types of activities add to important events in the May calendar in the area, such as National Heritage Month, Month of the Ocean, Volunteerism Month, and Barrio Communities Week.
“Estancia is rich in history, having been recognized as a pueblo in 1847 and acknowledged as a cradle of resistance to foreign rule. Its bountiful natural resources also add to the livelihood of the people. They’re appropriate to the formation of close-knit communities conditioned on balancing livelihood and respect for the environment.”
As head of the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger, the Malacañang official noted that the resettlement areas are meant as hubs of commerce, with the establishment of community gardens and other sources of livelihood.
“We need to work together to fight hunger and poverty. The Task Force has been closely coordinating with Pilipinas Kontra Gutom in ensuring the existence of economic opportunities to our beneficiaries,” the former legislator stated.
Mayor Requinto, for her part, spoke on behalf of the LGU and thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Nograles and the NHA for “not forgeting us here in Estancia. We will forever be grateful for this blessing and we will work hard to deserve the rebuiding efforts of the Duterte administration in this part of Iloilo.”
The LGU head likewise promised that they will coordinate with the national government for the long-term success of the new housing communities.