Abundio Butulan, Sr, 72, of Barangay Poblacion, Boston town happily shows off his Certificate of Occupancy during the turnover ceremony for the modified shelter units.

Cateel, Davao Oriental -An additional 430 families who lost their homes to Typhoon Pablo in December 2012 received new homes from DSWD during the recent turnover ceremonies in the towns of Boston, Baganga and Cateel.

This brings to a total of 2311 shelter units completed in Davao Oriental and 1380 in Compostela Valley built through the DSWD Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) in collaboration with the provincial governments.

Provided to families left homeless by calamities, the shelter units are resistant to disasters and built with concrete and good lumber. Each unit covers a lot area of 70 square meters, installed with a two-room division, painted inside and out, with bathroom and septic tank, separate kitchen, and window-level concrete wall.

Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon conveyed her appreciation to DSWD for the all-out and unwavering support. She cited that no matter how dedicated the local governments and national agencies are in helping but if the people will not cooperate then it will all be futile. She emphasized that progress starts within oneself through discipline and determination.

“We must embrace the new normal and always be ready, disasters or no disasters. Community resiliency is achieved when there is cooperation among the DSWD, PLGU and the residents,” stressed Ma. Vilia L. Vigil, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, DSWD.

Abundio Butulan, Sr, 72, of Barangay Poblacion, Boston, expressed his gratitude for his new home. “Tulo gyud ka lubi ang mitumba sa amoang daan nga balay. Sa payag-payag lang mi gapuyo uban akoang unom ka anak ug mga apo. Dako kaayo akoang pasalamat sa grasya nga gihatag sa Ginoo pinaagi sa DSWD (Three coconut trees crashed our old house to the ground. We are staying temporarily at a small makeshift home with my six children and grandchildren. I am very thankful for the blessing God shared through DSWD).”

Babylin Castanos, 45, of Purok South Tinimbo, Central, Cateel also conveyed her happiness to the department for her new home. “Luyo sa kapit-os ug kalisod nga amoang nasinati tungod sa Bagyong Pablo anaa gihapon ang DSWD wala gyud mibiya sa amoa. Dako kaayo akoang pasalamat sa DSWD sa panibag-ong grasya nga ilang gihatag sa amoang pamilya (Despite of the hard up situation and difficulty that we experienced because of Typhoon Pablo, DSWD has always been there and did not abandon us. I am very grateful to the department for another blessing that it provided my family).”

The 3rd and final tranche of MSAP is expected to yield some 28,677 units -11383 for Compostela Valley and 17,294 for Davao Oriental. The overall cost of the MSAP is P 2.3 billion. (DSWD)