By Pearl Gumapos
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led the turnover ceremony of 2,603 completed housing units for beneficiaires in Bugasong, Antique last Friday (July 16), and assured residents that the Duterte administration is fully committed to developing communities in the Yolanda Permanent Housing sites.
The 47th virtual ceremonial turnover of free houses covered the Bugasong Resettlement Project (91 units) in Brgy. Centro Ilauod, Bugasong Paradise Ville 1 (438 units) and Bugasong Paradise Ville 2 (287 units) in Brgy. Igbalangao,and Bugasong New Paradise Village 1 (1,000 units) and Bugasong New Paradise Village 2 (787 units) in Brgy. Lacayon.
Nograles said that he was elated in attending the 23rd virtual turnover in Region VI since he became chairperson of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected Areas, noting 43,669 units have been distributed in various Western Visayas municipalities.
Completed housing units can be found in the following localities in the Region: Ajuy, Iloilo (4,215 units); Carles, Iloilo (13,665 units); Culasi, Antique (1,974 units); Altavas, Aklan (393 units); Panit-an, Capiz (572 units) Estancia, Iloilo (3,562 units); Laua-an, Antique (1,267 units); Ivisan, Capiz (672 units); Concepcion, Iloilo (2,803 units); Jamindan, Capiz (535 units); Dumangas, Iloilo (1,993 units); Pilar, Capiz (1,354 units); Pontevedra, Capiz (1,168 units); Pandan, Antique (1,000 units); Panay, Capiz (1,543 units); Barotac Viejo, Iloilo (822 units); Roxas City, Capiz (1,533 units); Anilao, Iloilo (364 units); Banate, Iloilo (1,631 units) and Bugasong, Antique (2,603 units).
Nograles then thanked LGU officials of Bugasong, led by Mayor John Lloyd Pacete, together with Vice Mayor Renante Dava, as well as the National Housing Authority under the able leadership of General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Regional Manager Engr. Rizalino Cabahug and District Manager Architect Jesus Fantilaga.
Nograles further emphasized the need for preparedness in facing calamities, especially during the present celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month.
He said that “communities, led by their local government units, should always be ready and organized in facing disasters and afterwards during recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.”
Nograles also explained the strides made by the Task Force Zero Hunger which has successfully implemented its Expanded Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP).
“We are urgently solving the twin problems of poverty and hunger through specialized government programs and crucial partnerships with private sector stakeholders such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom which has led the creation of community gardens in our Yolanda resettlement sites,” Nograles said.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. This initiative provides immediate food sources and long-term livelihood opportunities,” he added. –rir