DAVAO CITY – This Christmas season is a lot merrier for the 117 families whose houses were damaged during the magnitude 6.1 earthquake in 2019.
The National Housing Authority – Region XI (NHA-XI) awarded the earthquake victims in Barangay Tacul, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur with the Certificates of Ownership and the keys of their respective houses which they considered as Christmas gifts for them.
Led by NHA-XI Regional Manager Engr. Zenaida Cabiles and Mayor Arthur Davin, the turnover ceremony was held on Monday (Dec. 14). Marites, one of the beneficiaries, cried during the ceremony as she said she did not expect the good quality of the houses given to them for free.
Sixty-five houses, one of which belonged to the family of Marites, were destroyed by the earthquake in Barangay Tacul on October 30 last year. The NHA-11 turned over 65 houses in Barangay Tacul and another 106 houses in Barangay Tagaytay San Miguel, particularly in Purok 6, 7, and 8.
“A total of 2,002 permanent housing units amounting to PHP573 million was allotted to Magsaysay town,” Cabiles said. She also added, “the housing units are only intended for earthquake-affected families from 11 sites”.
“Of the 11 sites we awarded, 423 units are ready (for occupancy), and another 171 units are ready for another three sites,” she said.
According to Davin, 2,002 families were prioritized since their homes are situated in a “no-build zone,” based on the assessment of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
Davin said these families are living in the upland area where their houses are prone to landslides during earthquakes.
“They also stayed one year in the evacuation centers,” Davin said. These housing units were awarded by the government through the NHA to those affected by the earthquake from July to December last year. Each housing unit is worth P289,000. – Cheche G. Diabordo/NewsLine
