The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said Sunday that the installation of modular houses for earthquake victims in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, is now in full swing.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the project, located at the LGU-identified site in Barrio Poblacion, is being carried out in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to establish a Bayanihan Village that will provide a safe and comfortable refuge for families displaced by the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

“Hangad po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang mabigyan ng mas ligtas at komportableng masisilungan ang mga Davaoeños na biktima ng lindol, kaya naman agaran ang aksyon ng DHSUD, kaagapay ang iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, sa pagtatayo ng Bayanihan Village sa bayan ng Tarragona,” Aliling said.

He added, “Asahan po ninyo na sa mga susunod na mga araw ay maitatayo na natin ang mga modular houses upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kababayan.”

The establishment of the Bayanihan Village began shortly after the President, accompanied by Aliling and other Cabinet officials, visited Tarragona and nearby quake-hit towns on October 13. Marcos ordered all government agencies to extend immediate assistance to affected residents.

The DHSUD Regional Office XI, led by OIC-Director Naiza De los Santos, has since begun installing modular shelters for displaced families. The project is being implemented in close coordination with the DPWH, DSWD, DILG, Office of Civil Defense, and the LGU of Tarragona, one of the hardest-hit municipalities in the province.

“Malinaw po ang direktiba ng Pangulo — ang ipaabot ang lahat ng pwedeng itulong sa ating mga kababayang Davaoeños sa lalong madaling panahon. Ambag po ng DHSUD ang mas ligtas, komportable at may dignidad na pansamantalang masisilungan,” Aliling said.

The Bayanihan Village aims to serve as a model for rapid, coordinated government response in providing temporary yet dignified housing for disaster-stricken communities.