Permanent shelters in Barangay Dauman, Montevista.
Nabunturan, Compostela Valley –Some 3086 family-survivors of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley received their Certificate of Occupancy as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley conducted the third turnover of permanent shelters on Thursday.
Led by DSWD Undersecretary Angelita Y. Gregorio-Medel, Governor Arturo T. Uy, Vice Governor Manuel Zamora, and 1st District Representative Ma. Carmen Zamora, the turnover was held during the Social Services Day in commemoration of the provincial 17th Founding Anniversary and 8th Bulawan Festival.
Addressing the crowd composed of Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Day Care Workers, LGU Social Workers, and shelter beneficiaries who are mostly Pantawid Pamilya grantees, Undersecretary Gregorio-Medel urged, “You need to unite and help each other. You should not just stand up but you have to rise. ComVal is shining because of the collaboration and cooperation among each of you. The real treasure is what is inside of you -pakikipagkapwa, paglilingkod at pagmamahal. Saludo ako sa nagawa at naabot ninyo.”
Grateful recipients
A farmer and father of 11, Nicanor Y. Magnaong Jr of Purok 1, Barangay Pasian, Monkayo is overjoyed with his new home. “Nalipay mi nga nakadawat og balay. Hayahay na among pamati. Salamat sa Ginoo ug sa nagdumala. Dili na mi matuloan. Sa una naghigda lang mi sa trapal. Ang among gipuy-an tent. (We are happy to be recipients. We feel better. Thank God and thanks to the implementers. We won’t be soaked anymore when it rains. We used to sleep on tarpaulins. Our shelter was a tent).”
Walter G. Beniga, 49, also of Barangay Pasian shared, “Pasalamat mi kay dili na barong-barong among balay. Lipay pud ang mga bata ug mga silingan kay duna nay kapuy-an (We are thankful our house is not makeshift now. My children are also delighted as well as my neighbors).”
“I am so grateful for this housing program. Thanks so much for all the help,” said Lydia I. Requinto of Monkayo who along with Magnaong and Beniga also clamoured for livelihood opportunities which can be addressed with Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD and other livelihood assistance of other agencies.
In his message, Governor Uy assured the quality of the new homes and he promised that all typhoon survivors who lost their homes will be provided permanent shelter.
Permanent homes
The homes were constructed through the DSWD Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) as part of the continuing rehabilitation program of the Department in partnership with the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley where the national government funds the project and the provincial government takes charge of site development, land preparation and engineering expertise.
Provided to families left homeless by calamities, the permanent shelters are resistant to disasters and built with concrete and good lumber.
The overall cost of the project is Php 2.6 billion which is implemented in the towns of Boston, Baganga, Cateel, Caraga, Tarragona and Manay in Davao Oriental; Montevista, Compostela, Monkayo, New Bataan, Laak, Nabunturan, Pantukan, Mabini, Maco, Mawab, and Maragusan in Compostela Valley; and New Corella and Tagum City in Davao Del Norte.
To date, 4714 have been completed in Compostela Valley while Davao Oriental has 14,619, and 33 for Davao Del Norte.
The permanent shelters are structurally-strong and environment-friendly units which can withstand wind velocities up to 180 kph, intensity four (4) earthquakes, flooding and other similar hazards.
Shelter beneficiaries are also organized into Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA) which initiates community activities and forms community structures to help the village grow.
Apart from DSWD, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and private companies have also been building permanent homes in ‘Pablo’ hard-hit areas.
Following the ceremonial turnover, the group visited the MSAP Site in Barangay Dauman, Montevista. DSWD