
YOLANDA HOMES
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin G. Romualdez yesterday led the ceremonial turnover of Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) projects in Leyte, proof of the government’s commitment to rebuild communities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda 11 years ago.
The event, held in Burauen, Leyte, includes the turnover of symbolic keys to local government officials from eight municipalities across Leyte, Samar, and Biliran where the housing projects were built. These projects are part of the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) efforts to provide permanent and dignified homes for 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.
The YPHP turnover includes completed housing units in the following communities: Cool Spring Residences (Burauen Housing Project) in Burauen, Leyte: Riverside Community Residences (Tabontabon Housing Project) in Tabontabon, Leyte; Mont Village Subdivision in Tanauan, Leyte; Coconut Grove Village in Julita, Leyte; Marabut Village Sites 1 and 2 in Marabut, Samar; Pastrana Ville in Pastrana, Leyte; Dagami Town Ville in Dagami, Leyte; and Culaba Housing Project in Culaba, Biliran.
The turnover involved 3,517 housing units for families affected by Typhoon Yolanda, especially those in unsafe or no-build zones. Of these 1,963 were already awarded and occupied.
Each unit has a floor area of between 22 to 28.6 square meters and is built on a lot of about 40 square 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 added.
“Ito ay patunay ng malasakit at pagkakaisa sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng ating mahal na Pangulong Marcos Jr.”
The ceremonial turnover also included the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Deed of Donation and Acceptance (DODA), formalizing the transfer of housing units to their beneficiaries.
Municipal mayors, representing the eight recipient LGUs, expressed gratitude on behalf of their constituents.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of collaboration between the national government and local stakeholders in addressing housing needs and ensuring disaster recovery.
Community beneficiaries also shared their heartfelt gratitude during the event as part of the program.
Speaker Romualdez underscored the significance of these efforts in ensuring that Yolanda survivors can rebuild their lives.
“This is also about restoring dignity and giving our kababayans a chance to rebuild their futures,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez reiterated his commitment to advocating for disaster preparedness and recovery programs in Congress.
According to the NHA, it has completed 175,728 out of 189,800 target units as of December 2024, including the 3,517 units in today’s ceremonial turnover, while the remaining 14,072 units are expected to be completed by December 2025.
Around 67 percent or 133,725 of the completed housing units were already awarded to, and occupied by, beneficiaries.
“Ngayon, inihahandog namin ang mahigit tatlong libo at 3,500 bahay, bahagi ng mga proyektong matatapos na sa Leyte, sa Samar, at sa Biliran,” President Marcos said in his speech during the ceremonial turnover of Completed Yolanda Permanent Housing Projects in Leyte.
Marcos said the housing project is part of the administration’s recovery program for calamity victims.
The President turned over the symbolic keys to Culaba Mayor Humphrey Olimba, Marabut Mayor Percival Ortillo, Tabon-Tabon Mayor Efren Redoña, and Tanauan Mayor Gina Merilo.
Also receiving the keys were Julita Mayor Percival Caña, Dagami Mayor Angelita Delusa, Pastrana Mayor Maritess Marcos, and Burauen Mayor Juanito Renomeron.
“Para po sa mga benepisyaryo ng Yolanda Permanent Housing Program, hindi ninyo po kailangan magbayad na ng amortisasyon. Libre na po ang inyong bahay at lote. Hindi na po kayo sisingilin ng NHA dahil bigay na po ito sa inyo ng inyong pamahalaan,” the President said.
President Marcos emphasized that government agencies, such as the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the local government will ensure the housing units are reliable and sustainable.
“Nagpatayo tayo ng mga bahay na matibay at kayang siguruhing ligtas ang inyong pamilya sa gitna ng mga hamon ng kalikasan,” President Marcos told the thousands of housing beneficiaries in Leyte and Samar.
“Iyan ay dahil sa disaster resilient housing design na masusing isinagawa ng National Housing Authority. Ibig sabihin po nito, ang ating mga pabahay ay kaya ng labanan ang malakas na hangin at lindol,” he added. By Jester Manalastas and Chona Yu