‘Yolanda’ survivors in Palo get new temporary houses

THESE Tzu Chi houses are better and more comfortable than the bunkhouses where they stayed for more than a year, say Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors who received the houses in Barangay San Jose, Palo town, Leyte province. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PALO, Leyte—More than 1,530 persons who have been living in bunkhouses for more than a year after their houses were washed out due to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) have new houses to stay courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation.

The houses, still temporary and can last for 10 years, are located in Barangay (village) San Jose, more than five kilometers away from the town proper of Palo, one of the areas in Leyte province that suffered much damage during Yolanda’s wrath, were turned over to them on Feb. 14.

One of the families who availed of this housing project by the Taiwan-based foundation is Maricel Maderazo, 39, a mother of three children. Their house in Barangay Tacuranga was destroyed during the onslaught of Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013.

“It’s nice to live in a house after living inside a bunkhouse. Now, at least we can live as normally as possible. We can sleep soundly even during rainy nights unlike before,” Maderazo said.

“We are happy now and thanks to Tzu Chi for helping us have a house of our own,” she added.

The 255 houses, made of prefabricated materials, measures 21 to 27 square meters, depending on the size of a family. Each is equipped with two to three bedrooms, a kitchen and a cooking area. The houses, still temporary, can last for 10 years.

The community, dubbed Tzu Chi Great Village, has solar as its source of power and water. Drainage canals were also put up to ensure the community will be safe from flooding.

The 3.3-hectare lot, where the houses were constructed, was donated by the municipal government of Palo. Construction started in August last year.

Maderazo said her family has been living in a bunkhouse since January 2014 along with other beneficiaries.

She, however, admitted that while they have now a roof over their heads, their financial situation has yet to improve.

Her 35-year-old husband, Rene, earns less than P200 from driving his pedicab. This is not enough to meet their family’s needs, she added.

Henry Yunez, one of the officers of the foundation, said extending help to the survivors give them happiness.

Yunez, an importer of heavy equipment, said he found pleasure while doing his charity work among Yolanda survivors.

“I have spent most of my time here and I just (managed my business) through remote control,” he laughs.