LINGAYEN -- The families whose houses were destroyed by Typhoon Pepeng last year received this month some construction materials to help them repair or reconstruct their homes.
Under its Disaster Risk Mitigation Program, P2.7 million worth of Shelter Repair Kits were distributed to some 393 typhoon affected families by the Habitat for Humanity-Philippines.
This is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan and the concerned local government units (LGU).
The recipients were from the towns of Rosales, Villasis, Sison, Bayambang and Urdaneta City, the hardest hit areas by the rampaging floodwater last October.
Governor Amado Espino Jr. thanked the Habitat team and all the organizations and individuals who extended support to the typhoon victims after the devastation.
Espino said the outpouring of support from concerned citizens signifies that the spirit of cooperation or “bayanihan” among Filipinos is still alive.
Provincial Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Alvin Bigay said the Shelter Repair Kit (worth P7,000 each) includes roofing materials, flexiboards, lumber, iron nails and other construction materials like hammer, handsaw, and screw drivers.
He said the province and Habitat have teamed up and conducted an ocular inspection and assessment of the damaged houses in the six heavily affected areas of Pangasinan.
These municipalities were submerged by floodwater, in some areas as high as 10 feet. The sudden rush of water destroyed some portions of the earth dikes of the Agno River, which traverses said localities.
Some houses were damaged while others were no longer habitable.
In Rosales, a tent city rose after houses along the dike at Barangay Carmen East were washed out by floodwater.