PBBM inspects first ‘Bayanihan Village’ for quake victims in Cebu

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the inspection of the first-ever “Bayanihan Village” in San Remigio, Cebu — a modular housing project designed to shelter families displaced by the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

The Bayanihan Village, located in Barangay Poblacion, consists of 45 modular shelter units (MSUs) built by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). It was completed in just one week through the joint efforts of multiple government agencies and the private sector.

The President also checked on the condition of Cebuanos affected by the September 30 earthquake to ensure that government aid continues to reach the victims.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the project reflects the President’s goal of providing swift and humane assistance to disaster-hit communities.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to ease the plight of our fellow Filipinos, which is why we made sure the Bayanihan Village was completed quickly and properly,” Aliling said in Filipino.

“In fact, several families have already moved in and are now using the modular shelters, which are safer and more comfortable for our people,” he added.

Aliling credited the “bayanihan” spirit of participating agencies and private partners for the rapid completion of the project.

“This is the result of the prompt cooperation of various government offices — together with the private sector — in response to the President’s call for unity and collective effort toward Cebu’s recovery,” he said.

Aside from DHSUD, other government agencies involved in setting up the village include the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Two private companies also sent workers to help build the modular units.

Once turned over, the local government of San Remigio will oversee the selection of beneficiaries, as well as the maintenance and management of the village. Each cluster will be equipped with common comfort rooms, lavatories, and electricity.