Nasa receives five housing units from government

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (February 5, 2010) – Flood victims received from government on Thursday (February 4) five housing units worth P250,000 through the Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (Nasa) in Juanicoville, Purok Diamalod, barangay Lun Padidu.

Lina Sotomil, community affairs officer III of the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), said there will be another 45 housing units which are targeted to be completed before the first quarter of the year ends.

"This project, the Shelter Assistance Program, has a budget allocation of P2.5 million for 50 houses. The budget came from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)," she said.

The project is a joint program of the DSWD, Province of Sarangani, and the Municipality of Malapatan."The MOA signing (of the project) was in September 2009, while the construction started in November 27. DSWD purchased the materials for the construction of the houses while the municipal and provincial government served as counterparts," Sotomil explained.

She said DSWD came up with a list of the victims of typhoon Frank last year, who were identified to be the beneficiaries of the project.She added that the provincial government has spent millions of pesos for the construction of a seawall in the area to protect the coastal residents, but has later realized to purchase a 7-hectare land that cost more than P5 million which now served as the resettlement area for the coastal residents.

Sotomil also said that after the turn-over of the 45 housing units in March, the beneficiaries, who were only required to spend 72 working days for the project construction, will then be allowed to choose their housing unit."We still cannot give the units to the individuals (members of the association) because none of them has already rendered 72 working days. We have a "bayanihan" system here so that all of the units will be completed," she said, adding that the beneficiaries have not spent a single centavo for the construction of the houses.

It was learned that another 50 houses will be constructed in the same area. It will also cost P2.5 million. But Sotomil shared that they are still working on for the release of the budget for the project's second phase with the regional office of the DSWD.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon spearheaded the turn-over of the housing units to the Nasa members. He encouraged them to display unity in the community saying, "Thank you for your perseverance, it is really important that you have unity and know what are your needs because you yourself are making this community."

The vice governor also expressed his gratitude to the members of the Oxfam, (Oxfam is an international organization that conducts disaster management training in the province), who were also present in the turn-over ceremony.

He said the initiatives and projects of the government are also realized because of the assistance of the government's partners. He also mentioned that Governor Migs Dominguez is committing P30,000 for the establishment of jetmatic water system in the area. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)