53,917 Yolanda homes already done, occupied

RECOVERY MILESTONE President Marcos leads the ceremonial turnover of permanent housing projects for Yolanda-displaced families in Leyte, Samar and Biliran on Friday. —PPA pool

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the National Housing Authority (NHA) has committed to complete the 4,702 unfinished housing projects for Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) victims by December this year.

Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar, in a news statement on Sunday, said the NHA has already completed 53,917 units out of the 58,619 permanent housing requirements under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project (YPHP).

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

Of the completed units, a total of 45,454 units are already occupied by the beneficiaries.

Acuzar said President Marcos has instructed the NHA to finish all the YPHP units in Eastern Visayas.

“All the Yolanda Housing Projects will definitely be completed this year,” Acuzar said.

The housing units are located in Cool Spring Residences, Riverside Community Residences, Mont Eagle Ville Subdivision, Coconut Grove Village, Dagami Town Ville and Pastrana Ville in Leyte; Marabut Ville Sites 1 and 2 in Samar; and Culaba Housing Project in Biliran.

Turnovers ongoing

Qualified YPHP beneficiaries are families displaced by Yolanda in November 2013 and are residing in identified hazard-prone areas.

On Friday, Mr. Marcos led the ceremonial turnover of 3,517 housing units in Burauen, Leyte.

The President also instructed the DHSUD and NHA to research other housing designs that are appropriate for and can withstand climate change and natural disasters. —PNA