Friday, February 19, 2016

‘Yolanda’ survivors in Tacloban get ‘butterfly houses’

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PNA) -– The United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have completed 44 temporary houses, representing the first batch of 240-unit shelter project for super typhoon Yolanda survivors in this city.

PDRF president Rene Meily described the structure as “butterfly houses” designed by Filipino-American businessman Rogelio Santos, Jr.

Butterfly house project features a compact and steel-framed housing facility, which can be unfolded into an immediately livable housing structure. 

“Designed to be more sustainable alternatives to tents and bunkhouses, these are also equipped with solar panels and built-in LED lights, which can support up to 18 hours of basic lighting,” Meily explained.

Recipients of newly-completed temporary shelters are from Anibong and Sagkahan districts and those still living in bunkhouses as validated by PDRF, USAID and the city government of Tacloban.

In a statement, USAID Deputy Chief of the Office of Economic Development and Governance Stephen Andoseh lauded the city government for being proactive and resilient in leading the reconstruction process after the disaster.

“It is a remarkable testimony of your ability to adopt and to grow,” Andoseh said.

Beneficiaries also received water filter, rice, sugar and materials they can use during their first few days of stay in their new homes

Recipient Jimmy Anthony Adonis considers the project as a blessing for his small family after sharing a house with his mother for more than two years.

“It feels good to have a house of your own so you can live better,” said Adonis, a worker in a shirt printing shop.

Beneficiary of the butterfly houses will transfer to their new houses once the sanitary toilets of all 44 units of temporary shelter are completed. PDRF aims to finish all the 240 butterfly houses before the end of 2016. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

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