DSWD misses deadline to relocate Zambo evacuees

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare  and Development (DSWD) missed its target to provide permanent housing for the remaining evacuees who have been displaced  by the siege staged by the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City in 2013.

The DSWD set a deadline to relocate about 1,600 families, who are staying at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, before Christmas. 

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman during a recent visit here said the relocation of the evacuees has been pushed back to the end of January. 

The government is eyeing the construction of 7,000 housing units for all the evacuees.  

The National Housing Authority assured the evacuees they would look into complaints that substandard materials were used in some of the housing units, and hold the contractor responsible.