The Bicol CARE Project: An Update
Bicol Region
The aftermath of the typhoons that hit the Bicol Region brought with it loss of lives, devastation of infrastructure, properties, and livelihood such as in agriculture and fisheries.
It was in 2006 when the region was hit with a series of typhoons, namely Typhoons Milenyo (September), Paeng (October), Reming (November) and Seniang (December). Extent of the damage was seen with figures of totally destroyed homes numbering to 290,564 and 560,332 for partially damaged homes.
The Mayon Volcano mudslide in the Province of Albay during typhoon Reming caused great devastation that called for priority relocation to about 10,683 families in five (5) municipalities, namely Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Sto. Domingo, Polangui and one (2) city- Ligao City and Legazpi City, houses nearby Mayon Volcano.
NHA-Bicol and DSWD
Ironical it may appear, the National Housing Authority (NHA) being the shelter provider of the national government, did not take the lead role in undertaking and implementation of relocation and resettlement of homeless Bicolano typhoon victims. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) headed the Shelter Cluster of the Bicol Rehabilitation Program.
This posed some problems on work coordination and project facilitation but with the collaboration with other government agencies such as the then National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) now National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC), Local Government Units (LGUs), local and international Non-Government Organizations, NHA was able to prioritize relocation of typhoon victims who lost their lands and homes because their previous abode were already considered dangerous/unlivable areas.
NHA's Thrust
With the main task of the Authority to provide decent, adequate, and affordable homes, the NHA-Bicol Region served a total of 34,259 family beneficiaries with 750 M budget from the Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Effort (CARE) funded under the RA 9401 General Appropriations Act of 2007. The amount covered expenses for relocation site development, land acquisition, construction of housing units and home materials assistance.
Among the programs extended for partially damaged houses were Housing Materials Assistance (HOMA) where 24,250 recipients from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte and Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon received corrugated G.I. sheets, coco-lumber and roofing nails; for totally damaged houses, Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Government Units where land was the major contribution of the LGU with 4,424 families as beneficiaries; and 5,585 families acquired homes through Resettlement – Acquisition of Developed Sites thru Community Association Initiative Approach (CAIAP) where the Authority financed the acquisition of developed lots from the landowner/developer by the qualified families. Lastly, the funding for the construction of a Disaster-Preparedness Center Building in NHA-Mayon Vista Housing Project, Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City was appropriated.
As of December 2010, there are 622 on-going housing construction; 1,164 completed units and 2,831 occupied houses.
Bicol CARE will always be a priority project of the NHA and since NHA cannot do the rehabilitation all by itself, the cooperation and assistance of concerned multi-stakeholders are very vital.
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