The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Region VII recently distributed the Certificate of Completion, Acceptance and Occupancy for those who were affected by typhoons in the country.

Residents of Tanjay City in Negros Occidental who were devastated by typhoon "Sendong" in 2011 and typhoon "Odette" in 2021 received the certificates of the new houses that were built through the Core Shelter Assistance Program of the DSWD.

The CSAP provides disaster-affected families with environmentally-friendly and structurally-strong housing units that can withstand 220 kilometers per hour wind velocity, earthquakes up to intensity 4 on the Richter scale, and other similar natural hazards.

The housing units are built on relocation sites identified by the local government units.

In total, the DSWD — through its Field Office VII — has successfully turned over 54 houses to eligible families out of 82 units being targeted for construction in Tanjay City, the project has a total cost of P3.78 million.

Under the memorandum of agreement between the DSWD and the LGU of Tanjay for the implementation of CSAP, the agency is responsible for the transferring of funds to the LGU; providing technical assistance from project development to construction to ensure that the basic project standards are met; and monitoring the status of the project as well as the utilization of funds; among others.

The local government of Tanjay, on the other hand, is responsible for acquiring a lot and providing a safe and accessible relocation site within the city or municipality for the shelter units of the affected families; facilitating survey and developing the site, drainage, road network, and electrical water connections. It shall also take full responsibility in the proper construction of the shelter units.