VP BINAY: GOVT TO FAST TRACK CONSTRUCTION OF OVER 6,000 HOUSES FOR SENDONG VICTIMS IN CDO AND ILIGAN; RELOCATION TO START APRIL

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay today met with local officials and residents of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan displaced by typhoon “Sendong,” and assured them that the national government will fast-track the construction of over 6,000 houses in several resettlement areas.

Based on a timetable prepared by the housing agencies, the affected families can begin moving into the relocation sites by April.

“Kasama ko po ngayon ang ilan sa mga pinuno ng ating mga housing agencies at narito po kami ngayon sa utos ni pangulong Aquino, para malaman po natin kung sino yung kinakailangang tulungan,” Binay said in a dialog held at the Grand Caprice Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro city.

The Vice President was joined by Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro. Also present were Rep. Jack Enrile of the 1st District of Cagayan, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan, Mayor Vicente Emano of Cagayan de Oro, Mayor Lawrence Cruz of Iligan as well as the heads of the key shelter agencies (KSAs).

Some of the proposed resettlement areas in Cagayan de Oro are Cagayan de Oro Res. Project Ph. II, Cagayan de Oro Res. Proj. Ph. III, Canitoan Property and Indahag Site which can accommodate up to 3,041 housing units.

Meanwhile, some of the proposed resettlement areas in Iligan are the Sta. Elena Village 1, Sta. Elena Village 2, Kapuso Village Bgy. Mandulog and LUINAB Homes which can accommodate up to 3,560 housing units.

Binay said informal settler families who used to live within 20 meters of the danger areas can avail themselves of the Resettlement Program with houses to be provided by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and local government.

Families whose houses were located beyond 20 meters of the danger areas can secure housing material assistance and site upgrading and development through he NHA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government.

Binay added that for families with titled properties, housing loan, housing material assistance and site upgrading and development will be provided by the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), NHA, DENR and the local government.