Marcos leads the turnover of housing units to Yolanda survivors

Gov’t gives homes to survivors hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda 11 years ago

By: - Reporter / @luisacabatoINQ
/ 12:03 PM January 17, 2025

Officials of Iloilo provincial government and National Housing Authority inspect one of the 1,000 housing units built for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda at Barangay Bacjawan Sur, Concepcion town on June 8, 2018. (File photo from IAN PAUL CORDERO/PANAY NEWS)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday led the turnover ceremony of 3,517 housing units for families devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte more than 11 years ago.

During the event held at the Burauen Community College Multi-Purpose Building in Burauen town, Marcos handed over symbolic keys to the local chief executives of the eight municipalities in Eastern Visayas where the units are located.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Marcos: ‘Nothing was done’ in ‘Yolanda’ rehab

FEATURED STORIES

The units were built under the National Housing Authority’s Yolanda Permanent Housing Program.

The homes are located in Cool Spring Residences, Riverside Community Residences, Mont Eagle Ville Subdivision, Coconut Grove Village, Dagami Town Ville and Pastrana Ville, all in Leyte.

Article continues after this advertisement

Some houses are in Marabut Ville Sites 1 and 2 in Samar; and the Culaba Housing Project in Biliran.

Article continues after this advertisement

The units were awarded as a grant, at no cost, to qualified beneficiaries identified as Yolanda survivors.

Article continues after this advertisement

In his speech, Marcos told the beneficiaries that their new houses will be able to withstand calamities.

“Nagpatayo tayo ng mga bahay na matibay at kayang siguruhing ligtas ang inyong pamilya sa gitna ng mga hamon ng kalikasan. ‘Yan ay dahil sa disaster-resilient housing design na masusing isinagawa ng National Housing Authority,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

(We built sturdy houses that can ensure your family’s safety amid the challenges of nature. This is because of the disaster-resilient housing design meticulously implemented by the National Housing Authority.)

“Sama-sama nating pahalagahan ang mga tahanang ito na siyang magsisilbing pundasyon sa mas matatag na pamayanan at mas maaliwalas na kinabukasan,” Marcos also said.

(Together, let us cherish these homes that will serve as the foundation for a stronger community and a brighter future.)

Make calamity-resilient houses

In the same speech, Marcos also called on concerned agencies to build more calamity-resilient houses in the future.

“DHSUD [Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development] and the NHA, I hope that you will further explore and use housing designs that are more resilient and better suited to climate change and weather challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a message sent to reporters, Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar said 88 out of 118 housing projects for Yolanda victims within Region 8 are already completed.

On November 8, 2013, Yolanda took the lives of more than 6,000 people and caused billions worth of damage to agriculture, infrastructure and many other sectors.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The super typhoon was tagged as the most powerful tropical cyclone ever to hit land.

TAGS:

No tags found for this post.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.