Friday, May 9, 2014

Resettlement sites: providing better shelters for disaster victims

Since the aftermath of typhoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006, many have suffered from the loss of their loved ones and properties.

In Ligao City, local government units, together with other funding agencies, pushed through the establishment of resettlement sites to help the victims cope with the challenges after having their properties devastated by the typhoons.

In 2008, the Gawad Kalinga Foundation was able to put up 30 units at California Village, Tuburan, Ligao City. These units are located in front of Jesse M. Robredo Bldg. which now houses the City Tourism Office and Pasalubong Center. Beneficiaries were also given funds for the establishment of additional units. However, due to the challenges and unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of additional units took longer than expected.

It was initially projected to have more than 100 units for the beneficiaries. Hence in 2009,  the City Government of Ligao City and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V, through the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP), funded the additional 14 units followed by another 45 units. These units are now located beside the Jesse M. Robredo Bldg. and currently occupied by beneficiaries of the project.

To complete the targeted number of units in the resettlement site, the 3rd Congressional District Office headed by Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez funded an additional 30 units using the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Ten (10) units were recently established in 2013 and were officially turned over on 2014.

The joint efforts of the local government units and funding agencies have made the establishment of the total 119 housing units possible, providing beneficiaries a better shelter. The City Government of Ligao also made sure that the units are well-designed to make it more convenient for the residents to live in.

Other resettlement sites in Ligao City are located at barangays Binatagan, Tagpo, Nabonton, Binanowan, Batang, Nasisi, and Herrera.

Written by Lala PeƱafiel


Source:
Ms. Irene Racho
Social Worker
City Social Welfare and Development Office
City Government of Ligao