Japan, Red Cross turn over houses to Sendong survivors

ANOTHER 70 houses for the survivors of Tropical Storm “Sendong” were turned over Thursday by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), the Japanese government, and the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in three barangays of Cagayan de Oro City.

The houses were located in barangays Pagatpat, Iponan and Balulang.

At least 52 of the houses were built in Balulang, one of the badly devastated villages where more than 60 people died and 3,055 houses partially and totally damaged.

Sevaratnan Sinnadurrai, head of delegation of the IFRC to the Philippines, said great improvements have been done in Cagayan de Oro after putting all the hard work of affected individuals, the government, and aid agencies to regain back the dignity and decency of the survivors 10 months after the tragedy.

“Everybody has joined hands to help and support each other, acknowledging each trauma and anxieties they felt,” Sinnadurrai said.

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe said he has no doubt Cagayan de Oro will rebuild and recover fast with the resiliency and creativity of the people.

Urabe said Japan was also a recipient of the IFRC, citing that different calamities have struck their country many times.

“We are happy to reciprocate the generosity of IFRC and we promised to help in their cause,” he added.

Richard Gordon, chair of the Philippine Red Cross, lauded the effort of Kagay-anons who managed to stand up amid the tragedy.

“I saw the heart of the people here who fought hard to survive and to live,” Gordon said.

A total of P8.8 million has been given by the Japanese government for the construction of the 70 houses.