SOME 110 families living in coastal areas will move to new houses on a 1.1-hectare property called Yolanda Village in Barangay La Paz, Bogo City, Cebu.
The village was named after the super typhoon that hit the Visayas last Nov. 8.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday, headed by Gov. Hilario Davide III and Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., for additional houses that will be constructed.
Forty-five houses have already been built in the village, said lawyer Ahmad Clay Escolar, chairperson of the City’s adopt-a-barangay program.
Priority
The program was initiated by the Bogo City Government to help families whose houses were destroyed by the super typhoon.
A short program was held in the village where 29 donors composed of foreign and local nongovernment organization turned over houses to beneficiaries. The donors were also given a certificate of appreciation by the City.
Bogo City was one of 16 local government units badly affected by the super typhoon.
Some P330.911 million worth of agriculture, infrastructure, social infrastructure and livelihood and employment were either damaged or destroyed by the calamity.
Martinez said they are prioritizing the 1,350 families who live in the danger zone, or those who reside in the 40-meter no-build zone.
He said donors’ pledges have reached 1,500 houses.
“I think I am the happiest person kaning nahitabo karong adlawa sa (because of the development today in) Bogo,” he said.
House size
Escolar said each house has an area of 21 to 22 square meters and can accommodate five to seven persons.
The house is made of galvanized iron sheets and marine plywood. It has concrete floors.
Escolar said the beneficiaries’ only obligation is to pay P240 monthly for the lot for 25 years.
The City has also identified lots in Barangays Cayang and Malingin as relocation sites for about 4,000 families.
In his speech, Davide thanked the donors.
“To the beneficiaries, take care of your new houses. This is a gift from the donors,” Davide said in Cebuano.