CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 148 families from the indigenous communities in Floridablanca town will receive housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA), an official said.
NHA Project Manager Ines Gonzales recently said that some P14 million has been allocated for the Aetas, which for long time had not been getting fair benefits from government programs.
Gonzales said the beneficiaries have the right to choose and decide on what kind of design and location of their houses that would cost at least P94,126 each.
She explained that the beneficiaries have to be informed about the advantages and disadvantages of their preferred unit design.
Gonzales suggested that it would be practical if the houses are built with concrete materials.
Governor Lilia Pineda the other day met with NHA executives, officials from the National Commission on Indigenous People, Floridablanca Aeta Ancestral Domain, and the Nabuclod Technical Working Group.
Pineda disclosed that the Aetas are in need of descent shelters which can protect their families particularly during rainy season.
“If you will visit Aeta communities in Nabuclod, you will see that most of their houses are not almost fit for human habitation. On this housing project, we need to make sure the units are durable and long-lasting,” she said.
The Aeta Tribal Council together with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) will identify the 148 family-recipients from the seven sitios of the village. Centro, biggest sitio of Nabuclod will be granted 32 recipients; sitio Camatchiles, 3; Tagak, 28; Balendalag, 16; Malan-ak, 15, Inararo, 13 and Labuan being the smallest in population will have seven beneficiaries.
Elizabeth Baybayan, officer-in-charge of PSWDO, said the governor instructed her to prioritize homeless Aeta families and those who live on damaged houses.