Baybay, Roxas City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) inked, over the weekend,  an agreement with the United Nations – Habitat (UN-Habitat) and local government units (LGU) of Capiz and Iloilo for the construction of housing units for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

In the project known as Post ‘Yolanda’ Support for Safer Homes and Settlements, DSWD will provide funding amounting to P42.7 million.

The project targets to complete 610 houses in the municipalities of Roxas, Panay, and Pontevedra in Capiz; and, Estancia in Iloilo.

Each  unit costs P120,000 with DSWD shelling out P70,000 and UN-Habitat giving P50,000 as  their counterpart.

LGUs and homeowners association will monitor the actual construction of the houses including the materials being used.

The signing was held at Barangay Baybay Homeowners Association, Inc. (HOAI)  with DSWD-Field Office VI Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre; Human Settlement Officer Bernhard Barth of UN Habitat Regional Officer for Asia and the Pacific in Fukuoka, Japan; and concerned local government chief executives.

“We would like to thank UN-Habitat for this partnership. To our LGU partners, let us do this fast so that we will be able to bring the survivors in their own homes the soonest time possible. I already saw a good number of houses constructed here,” Dir. Macapobre said.

For his part, Barth said, “Building back better is critical. This partnership with the national government is important not only because of the sharing of resources but also in finding ways on how to rebuild houses in a cheaper, faster, and  culturally accepted way through the involvement of communities.”

UN-Habitat conducted consultations with the residents which helped them design a sturdy house meant to meet the basic needs of the beneficiaries.

The design was developed in collaboration with the Capiz Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines, and its structural integrity has been checked by the Capiz Chapter of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Capiz Governor Victor Tanco thanked the national government and UN-Habitat. He also urged the homeowners to take good care of the houses.

“Hindi natin mababayaran ang tulong nila sa atin. Kaya bilang sagot sa kanilang kabutihan ay alagaan natin ang mga bahay upang mapanatili natin ang tibay at ganda ng mga ito (We could never repay their goodness. To repay them, we need to take care of the houses, maintain them, and keep them in good condition),” said Gov. Tanco. ###