BSU approves relocation site for typhoon victims

By Redgie Cawis

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - After six months of living in tents, victims of typhoon Pepeng will now have a permanent relocation site.

La Trinidad Mayor Artemio Galwan bared the Benguet State University Board of Regents approved the relocation site proposal of the local government for victims of Typhoon Pepeng.

The BSU approved as relocation site a three hectare land at Barangay Tawang here being used as farm land for agricultural students and other experimental purposes.

A total of 21 families still living at the “tent city” at Strawberry Fields of this capital town, also owned by the BSU, will be relocated in Tawang.

These families were residents of Sitio Little Kibungan in Barangay Pugui, s who were victims of a massive landslide that killed 75 people during Typhoon Pepeng in October last year.

“The three hectare lot will be developed like a subdivision residential area.

Lots will be divided among families being relocated,” said Galwan.

The local government is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways to assess the site development plan for the lot.

Galwan said the DPWH will help in the improvement of the relocation site in the construction of houses, roads and drainages.

Galwan added the LGU is also seeking help from the Benguet Electric Cooperative, and the La Trinidad Water District for utilities in the relocation site.

The funds for construction of houses and development of the site will come from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Provincial Government of Benguet and the La Trinidad municipal government.


ddi