More Pablo victims in Davao get new homes

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – At least 115 more victims of Typhoon Pablo in the towns of Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental were given new homes as part of the government’s core shelter program, a year after the super storm struck the province and Compostela Valley.

The construction of these shelters is being funded under the Modified Shelter Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), while the provincial government procures and develops the land.

Gov. Corazon Malanyaon, who recently personally turned over the keys and certificates of occupancy to the beneficiaries, said the distribution is only the first in a series of home turnovers to complete the targeted 17,000 shelter units.

Malanyaon said the province is mobilizing all its forces on the ground to expedite the construction. “We have to fast-track the shelter construction since we cannot really talk about long-term development unless the security and comforts of a home are provided,” she said.

Malanyaon also made clear the shelter guidelines to the beneficiaries, who, for one, are barred from selling their rights or turning their homes into commercial structures.

Also, shanties they previously occupied should be demolished, especially those along roads and other danger zones. The DSWD said any violation of these guidelines would disqualify a beneficiary. 

“Everything has already been provided – from the home lots, land development to the construction itself. All were given for free by the government,” Malanyaon said.

She said the program is intended to provide the typhoon survivors with decent shelters. Securing lot titles alone, she said, goes through a long and tedious process, with the provincial government shouldering all expenses.

She expressed hope that all the sacrifices of the provincial government, local officials and partner agencies would bear fruit and that the beneficiaries would take care of their new homes.

“If there’s one agency which we should really thank for their overwhelming support, that would be the DSWD,” she said.

“I personally had been a witness to their massive support for the province since day one until now in our rehabilitation phase,” she said.

“As soon as one shelter is completely constructed, the family beneficiary can immediately move in until we have covered all the beneficiaries,” she added.

A part of the province’s thrust to build back better, Malanyaon encouraged residents to take advantage of livelihood programs to help themselves improve their lives.