Families displaced by typhoons “Yolanda” and “Pablo” will no longer have to pay for their relocation houses while President Duterte is still in power.
The President has announced that the government will shoulder the housing cost of these typhoon victims, each amounting P200,000, during a housing summit in Quezon City Wednesday.
“Basta ako pa ang Presidente, libre na ‘yan. No more (payment),” the President said in his remarks. “Eh ‘di sa totoo lang, magbayad rin kayo? Eh libre na lang ‘yan kasi wala naman talagang magbayad. Pilipino?” he added.
If the housing officials ask for payment, Duterte told the storm survivors: “Pagdating ng kolektor, sabihin mo, ‘Kubrahin mo doon kay Duterte kung saan siya ngayon.’ Libre na.”
The President’s announcement drew the loudest applause from the audience gathered at the summit organized by the National Housing Authority in its headquarters in Quezon City.
NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. said the housing project for the typhoon survivors would cost around P50 billion.
Escalada said they recommended the free housing program since it would take years for the storm victims to recover from the disaster. The housing beneficiaries will be asked not to sell or lease the property or make it collateral for any loan, he added.
In his speech, the President recalled that he was dismayed by the slow construction of the permanent houses for Yolanda victims in Leyte at the start of his term.
Duterte said he has already directed authorities to hasten the transfer of the families displaced by the typhoon to permanent shelters.
He also asked them to shun corruption and red tape to ensure the swift implementation of the resettlement project.
In particular, he asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to approve the land conversion needed for the housing program. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)