
PBBM, Speaker Romualdez lead turnover of completed Yolanda Permanent Housing in Leyte
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin G. Romualdez led the ceremonial turnover of the Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) projects in Leyte, proving that government is sincere in rebuilding the community destroyed by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” 11 years ago.
Present at the event heldnat Burauen, Leyte for the turnover of the symbolic keys were local officials from eight municipalities in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran where there are housing projects.
These projects are part of the initiative of the National Housing Authority (NHA) to give permanent homes to the “Yolanda” survivors.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Pangulo para sa patuloy na suporta sa ating lalawigan. Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa simpleng pabahay kundi simbolo ito ng pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Among those included in the YPHP turnover were the completed housing units in the following communities.
1. Cool Spring Residences (Burauen Housing Project) sa Burauen, Leyte
2. Riverside Community Residences (Tabontabon Housing Project) sa Tabontabon, Leyte
3. Mont Village Subdivision sa Tanauan, Leyte
4. Coconut Grove Village sa Julita, Leyte
5. Marabut Village Sites 1 at 2 sa Marabut, Samar
6. Pastrana Ville sa Pastrana, Leyte
7. Dagami Town Ville sa Dagami, Leyte
8. Culaba Housing Project sa Culaba, Biliran
A total of 3,517 housing units would be turned over to the families of victims of Typhoon “Yolanda”, particularly to the families who lived in the unsafe or no-build zones. As of last count, a total of 1,963 have been awarded and already being occupied.
Each unit has a floor area from 22 until 28.6 square meters that were built on a lot of about 40 meters.
“Ang mga bahay na ito ay kumakatawan sabagong pag-asa at bagong simula para sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng Yolanda,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Ito ay patunay ng malasakit at pagkakaisa sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng ating mahal na Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” the House leader added.
Part of the ceremonial turnover was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Deed of Donation and Acceptance (DODA), to formalize the transfer of the housing units to the beneficiaries.
The mayors, representing the eight local governments, also expressed their gratitude for the houses given to their constituents.
Speaker Romualdez also stressed the importance of having collaboration between the national government and local stakeholders in responding to housing problems and to ensure that the survivors would be able to recover from the calamity.
“Ang tagumpay ng proyektong ito ay dahil sa pagtutulungan ng lahat ng sektor – mula sa pamahalaan hanggang sa ating mga komunidad,” said the leader of more than 300 members in Congress.
The beneficiaries also thanked the government.
Romualdez also highlighted that it is important to make sure that the “Yolanda” survivors would be able to recover.
“This is also about restoring dignity and giving our kababayans a chance to rebuild their futures,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez also promised that they would continue to push in Congress bills to strengthen the government’s disaster preparedness and recovery programs.
“Patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mga programang magbibigay ng seguridad at katiyakan sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Ang bawat tahanan ay simbolo ng pag-asa, at ang bawat proyektong ito ay patunay ng ating sama-samang pagsusumikap para sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” added Speaker Romualdez.
According to the NHA, out of the target 189,800 units, it completed the 175,728 units last December 2024, including the 3,517 units that were part of the ceremonial turnover last Friday. While the remaining 14,072 units are expected to be finished by December of this year.
Up to 67 percent or 133,725 housing units have been completed and awarded or already occupied by the beneficiaries.