OVP allocates P20 million for housing of ‘Odette’ survivors in Dinagat Islands

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo has allocated P20 million for the housing of survivors of Typhoon Odette in Dinagat Islands.

READ: EU gives additional €10 million worth of aid for Odette survivors

Robredo on Sunday said that the amount could build 200 houses in the province which was ravaged by the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country in 2021.

“Sa Dinagat Islands, mas malaki ‘yung needs kasi mas kulang ‘yung tulong na dumadating du’n tapos grabe talaga ‘yung destructions. So, nag-decide tayo sa Dinagat Islands na hindi lang shelter kits ang ibibigay natin pero bahay mismo,” she said on the BISErbisyong LENI program on DZXL, noting that the assistance was sourced from their partners and the donation drive conducted in December.

(In Dinagat Islands, they have bigger needs because the assistance that they received was lacking even though the destruction was severe. So, we decided to not only give shelter kits but houses as well.)

The provincial government of Dinagat Islands likewise pledged P20 million which will pave the way for 200 more houses for survivors.

READ: ‘Odette’ killed 14 people, destroyed 14,000 houses in Dinagat Islands – official

“Kahapon, during the groundbreaking, nung ina-announce natin na mayroon tayong P20 million for 200 houses, nag-pledge ang province na tatapatan nila. So, ‘yung 200 houses, magiging 400 houses,” Robredo shared.

(Yesterday, during the groundbreaking, when we were announcing that we have P20 million for 200 houses, the provincial government pledged that they will do the same. So, the 200 houses will now become 400.)

In a separate statement, the OVP said that the Angat Buhay village, where the houses will be constructed, are located in Barangay Cuarinta in San Jose and Barangay Boa in Cagdianao.

Meanwhile, the vice president returned to Siargao last Friday to turn over housing materials to five barangays that were also hit by Odette.

Shelter Starter Kits will likewise be given to beneficiaries in Negros Occidental who will undergo a training with the United Architects of the Philippines before the actual turnover of the materials worth P6.2 million.

A Shelter Starter Kit costs P24,160 and contains corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets, coco lumber, fiber cement board, self-drilling screws, and nails.

Shelter Repair Kits, on the other hand, contain CGI sheets, coco lumber or flex board, and several types of nails. These will be distributed to families in Cebu, Cebu, Surigao del Norte, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Southern Leyte who were severely affected by the typhoon.

Currently, the OVP has provided P49.2 million worth of Shelter Repair Kits and rebuilding tools to several local project implementers for around 3,000 beneficiaries in various areas since Odette struck.

je