Families displaced by a recent fire in San Juan City are expressing gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following the deployment of temporary modular shelter units (MSUs) by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

More than 100 families left homeless by the blaze in Barangay Batis are now finding safe refuge in the MSUs, which the DHSUD turned over to the local government of San Juan City.

Each unit is equipped with its own comfort room and sink.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Aliling reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing “dignified and responsive shelter” for disaster-affected families, citing a directive from the President.

“In compliance with the President’s order, DHSUD deployed the MSUs to San Juan City for use as safe and comfortable temporary shelter for the fire victims,” Aliling said in a statement. He added that the deployment is part of the latest programs under the “Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program” to help disaster victims recover and restart their lives.

Beneficiaries shared personal accounts of the relief the MSUs have brought after a period of prolonged uncertainty.

Jennifer Solis, an employee of San Juan Barangay, said the safe shelter has restored security and allowed her family to “sleep without fear.”

“We are happy because we finally have a home to stay in,” Solis shared. “By the grace of God, after more than two years... we are happy and can sleep properly. We no longer have to rent; we will only pay for water and electricity.”

Massage therapist Rachel Ravela recounted losing all their belongings in the fire. She credited the San Juan City government for seeking support from the DHSUD and President Marcos Jr., which led to the deployment of the temporary units, which also function as a staging area under the Expanded 4PH program.

Another beneficiary, Danilo Dolasco, an employee of the San Juan Integrated School, said the temporary housing has given his family a renewed sense of peace and hope after living in a crowded and unsafe environment.

Jason Lantero, a former shoe factory worker, also expressed his thanks to the President for the stability the temporary housing provided after his family was forced to live in a flood-prone area following the fire.

Hotel cashier Emily Siguya described the emotional impact of having a secure home. “Overwhelmed. So happy, finally we will have a unit like this... it’s complete,” she said. “I am so happy because we won’t have to pay anything — it’s free.”

The deployment of MSUs for temporary shelter is one of the DHSUD’s latest disaster response innovations, which has also been implemented in areas like Cebu and Davao Oriental following powerful earthquakes in late September and October.