By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered on Wednesday, Jan. 11, the National Housing Authority (NHA) to find a resettlement area for Misamis Occidental flood victims.
During the distribution of government aid at The Working Congressman Sports Complex in Tudela, Misamis Occidental, Marcos said they have coordinated with the NHA to find a resettlement area for flood-affected families.
“Nag-coordinate na kami sa National Housing Authority. ‘Yung mga bahay na totally destroyed, hahanapan natin ng resettlement area para magkaroon ng tirahan,” Marcos said.
“So ‘yan ang ating mga gagawin… Sa darating na ilang linggo kaya’t asahan ho ninyo, kung mayroon kayong pangangailangan, nandito po si governor, nandito po si congressman, nandito po pang ating mga ahensya,” he added.
The President said they are eyeing to build strong houses against floods and overflowing rivers, and the government would send rebuilding materials once there was a relocation area.
“Kaya naman titingnan natin ang lahat para gumawa tayo ng solusyon. Patuloy tayong maghuhukay sa mga ilog para gawing malalim, para hindi mabilis na- mabilis na lumabas ang tubig sa ilog at patuloy natin patitibayin,” he continued.
“Ngunit, sa long-term kailangan nating isipin kung papaano natin gagawin para hindi na talaga maulit. wala na tayong risk na ganito ang mangyari,” Marcos said.
Marcos assured the affected residents in Misamis Occidental that they will receive sufficient assistance from the government.
“Nandyan ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), nandiyan po lahat ng ating ahensya na maaari ninyong lapitan nang makasiguro kami na lahat ng mga pangangailangan ninyo ay nabibigay,” Marcos said.
More than 16,000 families were affected by the flood according to the data of Misamis Occidental local officials. – gb