KANANGA, Leyte -- After only more than a year since the 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Leyte, some 118 houses constructed by the National Housing Authority (NHA) were given to the victims during the Raffle of Houses and Lot Package at Barangay Hiluctogan, Kananga, Leyte on December 1.
Kananga Municipal Mayor Rowena Codilla in her message said the 1.7 hectare community is now called Blue Horizon Residences. There are a total of 176 housing units in the community but they will first raffle 118 units.
“Nakit-an gyud nako sa inyong mga mata ang inyong kalipay. Atong unang tuig human sa atong linog, ninganhi na sa atoa ang NHA, nag ground breaking ta pero kani karon, pag ground breaking muingon ta mao nani pero kini tinood nani kay mabalhinan na nato (I can see how happy you are. A year ago, NHA came here for the ground breaking and now you will be able to transfer to your homes)," she said.
While the houses are free, Codilla said the lot is not but they already sent a letter to the Office of the President requesting to make it for free.
She also said the residents now are also at a much safer area. Before most of the residents are living in danger zones.
She added that by first quarter next year, the residents will be able to transfer. The residences now have electricity but still has no water source.
Meanwhile, NHA Acting District Manager Southern Leyte Marilyn Lauzon said there were supposed to be 211 houses at the Blue Horizon Residence but was cut to 176 because of taxes.
Lauzon said on top of the 176 houses, they are also hoping to add 35 more.
“Definitely today magiging 211 na dito meaning sa ngayon we will be raffling off ang 118 then ang susunod ating kukumpletohon 176 later pag na construct na si 35, isasama na siya natin (Definitely today, we have 211. We will be raffling off the 118, then the next, we will complete the 176 if the other 35 will be constructed, we will include them)," Lauzon said. (JCR)