NHA to provide housing aid except relocation sites

CEBU, Philippines - Typhoon victims in Bantayan and Camotes islands would get aid on housing materials from the National Housing Authority but not on relocation sites.

 NHA-7 Regional Director Gavino Figuracion said the agency is tasked by the national government to provide permanent housing for affected families on the no build zone areas certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

 However, lands in Bantayan and Camotes islands are not titled as it was declared as Wilderness Area and Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves, respectively.

 â€œSince we cannot assist them to permanent housing, we have coordinated with the congressman. We will be still doing the home materials assistance,” said Figuracion at the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza.

 In Bantayan Island which is under Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon, Figuracion said there is an allocation of P15 million for the 2,119 families in the town of Madridejos; 3,000 in Bantayan, and around 1,000 in Santa Fe.

 â€œWe have already coordinated with these municipalities and they have already their master lists,” Figuracion said.

 In Camotes Island, Figuracion said there is also an allocation through fifth district Representative Joseph Ace Durano.

 â€œI have a meeting with Congressman Durano but until now we have not yet received the final letter as to how much are we going to dispose or give to the LGU,” he said.

 Figuracion also clarified the funds are not coming from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of the congressmen but of the calamity of the national government coursed through them.

 Figuracion stressed those affected families who have not received assistance from private donors and non-government organizations are their priority.

 There are pending measures in Congress to reclassify both Bantayan and Camotes islands to alienable and disposable lands to encourage investors to buy and develop properties there. (FREEMAN)