Sendong victims reminds mayor of his housing promise this year

CEBU, Philippines – Typhoon Sendong victims in Dumaguete have asked City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria about his promise to provide them houses before the year ends.

The housing site relocation is a joint project of the National Housing Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. in cooperation with the city government.

NHA has already advanced several millions of pesos for the acquisition of the lot owned by the Tale family but this incurred delays such as on the process of getting an exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue regarding the sale of the property.

Sagarbarria said the 8-hectare relocation site at Plains View in Barangay Banilad can accommodate 1,000 low cost housing units, and that the first phase will consist of 371 units.

Sagarbarria had just arrived from Cebu to follow up on the funding for the housing project and he was assured by DSWD-Negros Island Region interim regional director Shailyn Lucero Sun of the P25-million check.

The amount, which represents DSWD’s counterpart for the construction of the houses, is now ready and will be brought by her when she comes to Dumaguete today.

Sagarbarria hoped that, with the NHA funds, the development of the project site can be started before December ends this year. He said he had asked for an additional P2 million from NHA to be given to the Tale family for payment of the inheritance tax to the BIR.

Earlier, Father Burton Villarmente, head of the Social Action Center of the Dumaguete Diocese, reminded the mayor about his promised relocation site so that the Sendong victims, living in tent cities, can be relocated soon. (FREEMAN)