BAUKO, MT. PROVINCE – 53 brand new housing units were blessed and turned-over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the local government unit of Bauko to 53 family beneficiaries of the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) in Mt. Data, Bauko, last February.
DSWD provided P8.48 million shelter assistance grant used to buy construction materials and supplies while the local government unit of Bauko provided technical support.
Nicanor Gatulla, President of the Association, expressed his happiness and gratitude for they availed a home which is away from hazardous areas. He cited that his house before was located in a shrinking area marked by DENR. “Nagdakkel ti panagyaman mi ti DSWD ta haan lang nga balay ti inted da no diket pati talna ti panunot ta shrinking area ti ayan ti balay mi idi. Gapu iti daytoy nga core shelter ket feeling safe kami.” Gatulla said.
“Indeed, poverty alleviation projects like this one is among the indications that we continue to bring the government closer to the people. Thank you DSWD for supporting the people of Mt. Province.” Provincial Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. said in his speech.
Meanwhile, DSWD OIC-Regional Director Janet Armas said that the core shelter program is one of the responses of the government as it recognizes that during disasters, many are lost including shelters and the program may help the victims to start anew.
She also advised the recipients to help each other as a community in preparation for disasters.
“There will be stronger typhoons as projected by PAGASA and we are often affected; let us start the preparation within our families. Let us start training our children on how to become resilient in times of disaster” Dir. Armas added.
The recipients formed themselves into Mt. Data Eastwood Neighborhood for Shelter Assistance Association and are expected to make their own Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the maintenance of their shelter units and other operational purposes.
The Core Shelter Assistance Program involves the provision of environmentally friendly, structurally strong shelter units that can withstand a range of hazards such as typhoons, flooding and mild earthquakes using locally available construction materials. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Mark Erik King D. Guanzon
