Robredo: LGU-led housing needed for Leyte quake victims

KANANGA, Leyte, Aug. 4 -- Vice President Leni Robredo is seeking for a wider role for local government units in the construction of housing projects for families badly-hit by the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Leyte province. 

Speaking to reporters during her visit here Friday afternoon, Robredo suggested to download funds to affected local government units (LGUs) to fast track housing projects. 

Learning the mistakes from post-"Yolanda" housing projects when she was still the Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council chairperson, Robredo said that it takes a while for a project to start because the National Housing Authority implements housing projects by bulk.

“My proposal is to give funds to the LGU because it is the only way to hasten the implementation of housing projects,” Robredo said. 

She said the need to build temporary shelters depends on the pace of permanent housing construction.

Robredo vowed to help displaced residents with their livelihood through support from the private sector. 

“This is not the mandate of our office, but we can bridge them by coordinating with the LGUs in bringing private organizations who can help in livelihood assistance that can supplement in helping victims,” she said. 

The vice president visited this town almost a month after the quake which Leyte province on July 6. 

The vice president arrived past 2:30 p.m. on Friday and immediately held a dialogue with the families in evacuation center in Rizal village. 

Heavy rains welcomed Robredo, but this did not stop her from having a dialogue with the affected residents and check their conditions. 

About 80 families or more than 320 individuals are still staying in tents from four sub-villages of Abukayan, Cawakayan, Matinao and Bagatuon of Rizal village. 

The official led the turn-over of 3,200 galvanized iron (GI) sheets for the construction of temporary shelters of families displaced by the earthquake. The worth of shelter materials is nearly PHP1 million donated by private organizations. 

Around 1,500 GI sheets were delivered to Kananga during her visit. More materials will be distributed in the next few weeks. 

After the dialogue, Robredo checked the conditions of families living in tents and talk with them. 

Most of the displaced families are farmers while others are workers at the Energy Development Corporation. 

During her visit, Mayor Rowena Codilla informed Robredo that the LGU found a land for permanent shelter project, but they are still waiting for the result of geohazard survey from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. 

The local government needs at least four-hectare property for permanent housing of families from four affected villages. (Roel T. Amazona/PNA)