By Xander Ledesma
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the ceremonial turnover of 3,517 permanent housing units to families severely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in three provinces of Eastern Visayas. During the event held at Burauen Community College, President Marcos handed over symbolic keys to local chief executives representing eight towns, as well as three selected beneficiaries of the new housing units, highlighting projects in Leyte, Biliran, and Samar.
Among these projects is the Cool Spring Residences in Burauen, comprising 600 bungalow-type units with a 40-square-meter lot area and a 28.60-square-meter floor area. Other housing developments are located in Culaba, Biliran (Binongto-an Village), Marabut, Samar (Tag-alag Village), Tabontabon, Leyte (Mering and Mercaduhay Villages), Tanauan, Leyte (Sacme Village), Julita, Leyte (Dita Village), Dagami, Leyte (Sawahon Village), and Pastrana, Leyte (Aringit Village).
In his speech, President Marcos praised the resiliency and sturdiness of these new homes and encouraged beneficiaries to maintain them properly. He noted that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) continue to explore designs that accommodate changing weather patterns and ensure climate resilience.
“Ibig sabihin nito, ang ating mga pabahay ay kaya nang labanan ang malakas na hangin at lindol. Ngayon inihahandog namin ang higit 3,500 bahay, bahagi ng mga proyektong matatapos na sa Leyte, Samar at Biliran,” the President said.
Burauen Mayor Juanito Renomeron expressed gratitude to the President and his administration for ensuring the completion of these projects, which were launched in the wake of Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) in November 2013. Beneficiaries like 36-year-old Romualdo Naboya, who works as a company driver earning PHP535 daily, said they are relieved to live in a home free from leaks and other safety concerns. Naboya moved into Cool Spring Residences early last year, ending a decade of living in a makeshift shelter that offered little protection from storms.
Constructed under the NHA’s Yolanda Permanent Housing Program, these dwellings aim to provide secure and durable residences for displaced families and those residing in high-risk areas. The government hopes that these housing projects will strengthen community resilience and improve living conditions throughout the region.