President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) to explore housing designs that are adaptable and responsive to climate change.

During the ceremonial turnover of the “Yolanda” Permanent Housing Program on Friday, the President handed over the symbolic keys to the local chief executives of the eight municipalities in Eastern Visayas and three selected beneficiaries of the housing units at the Cool Spring Residences in Barangay Arado, Burauen, Leyte.

“Sa DHSUD at sa NHA, inaasahan ko na palalawigin pa ninyo ang pagtuklas at paggamit ng mga disenyo ng pabahay na mas matibay pa, at mas angkop sa pagbabago ng klima at hamon ng panahon (To the DHSUD and NHA, I hope you will continue to explore and use housing designs that are more durable, and better suited to climate change and weather challenges),” Marcos said.

Steadfast commitment
He emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to implementing measures to minimize the effects of natural disasters, such as flood mitigation through the Leyte Tide Embankment Project.

He urged the beneficiaries to take care of the housing units handed over to them. The housing units are located in Cool Spring Residences, Riverside Community Residences, Mont Eagle Ville Subdivision, Coconut Grove Village, Dagami Town Ville, and Pastrana Ville, all in Leyte; Marabut Ville Sites 1 and 2 in Samar; and the Culaba Housing Project in Biliran.

He also instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure the timely completion of the housing projects and all related initiatives.

During his visit to Leyte, Marcos also inspected the Cool Spring Residences in Burauen, which consists of 600 bungalow-type units, each with a lot area of 40 square meters and a floor area of 28.60 square meters.

These housing units were awarded as a grant to qualified beneficiaries identified as Yolanda family survivors.

DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar said the department had allocated a budget to repair, rehabilitate, and complete the units in Tacloban, Leyte within the year.

Over 58,000 units completed
Acuzar noted that more than 58,000 units, or 88 out of 118 “Yolanda” housing projects, have already been completed within the Eastern Visayas region.

Of the total, more than 53,000 units have already been completed, with 45,000 now occupied.

Acuzar also said there is continuous processing and awarding of units to beneficiaries.

According to Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Cesar Chavez, about P176 million was downloaded to the local government of Tacloban, while P167 million was allocated.

Further, Marcos said the Philippines has been tasked with hosting the Loss and Damage Fund Board in 2024, which will allow the country to secure sufficient funding for important projects and programs.

He also touted the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s disaster risk and reduction management, improving information gathering and response efforts during disasters.