Solon tells flood victims: New houses are not free

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The housing project in Barangay Indahag here for victims of the Dec. 17 disaster at the height of Tropical Storm “Sendong” isn’t being offered to the victims for free, but on installment basis.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made the clarification at a forum here on Thursday.

He said the National Housing Authority (NHA) would develop an 84-hectare parcel of land for the housing project. Each unit would cost P200,000.

Rodriguez said NHA is currently working on the subdivision plan, waterworks and electricity plan for the project, which will benefit at least 3,000 families.

The units would be duplex with floor areas of 50 square meters each, he said.

The site for the housing project would also have children’s playground, a church, sports facilities, a police outpost and health center so those living there “will have dignity in life unlike living near a river,” the congressman said.

The resettlement area is also near schools, where children can transfer next year.

He said the process of identifying the beneficiaries was tedious but would ensure beneficiaries are those really in need.

The screening process, he said, would be done by three agencies—Department of Social Welfare and Development, the city’s Social Action Center and the NHA.

Among those being screened for the project were residents of Isla de Oro, Cala-cala and Isla Bugnaw, whose houses were destroyed in the floods.

“Those who will be certified by the three offices will be able to move there by May this year,” said the congressman. Construction, he said, will start next month. Bobby Lagsa, Inquirer Mindanao