VP BINAY TAPS PRIVATE SECTOR FOR “SENDONG” HOUSING PROJECT

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has tapped the private sector in the housing and relocation project of the national government for the survivors of tropical storm “Sendong.”

Binay, the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Develoment Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has partnered with SM Development Corporation (SMDC) for the construction of 100 houses for Sendong survivors whose homes were destroyed in the floods during the onslaught of the typhoon.

“SM was kind enough to donate 100 housing units to the OVP for the relocation of families affected by typhoon Sendong,” Binay said.

“This is public-private partnership and corporate social responsibility in at its best and in action,” he added.

The housing units will be turned over to the Vice President on April, along with 6,000 other housing units.

“We have already identified the land which will be developed by DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). This will be ready for the houses before April,” the Vice President said.

The housing czar recently created a task force for the relocation of all families displaced by the floods caused by Sendong which he also heads.

He said that all donations for the relocation of the victims, whether in cash or in kind, will now be coursed to the task force.

“Monetary donations will be used by the NHA (National Housing Authority) to construct houses following one design. Donations in kind, or houses, which may come in varying designs will be given a specific area, which the DPWH will also prepare,” Binay said.

“The houses donated by SM will be permanent structures, unlike the temporary bunk houses built by DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and the Red Cross,” he added.

Binay flew to Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) last week to inspect the relocation sites being prepared by the government. He was one of the first government officials to visit CDO in December in the aftermath of the typhoon.

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