Housing program for flood victims underway

By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Officials of key shelter agencies (KSAs) have promised to help in the implementation of an effective and sustained housing program in this province. 

Undersecretary Cecilia Alba of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) said during a recent meeting with Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda that the national government has tasked KSAs to coordinate with local government units for the creation of temporary and permanent shelters for perennial flood victims.

She said the HUDCC and National Housing Authority (NHA) will transfer a 10-hectare property in Barangay San Isidro, Magalang to the provincial government for a planned evacuation center.

Romuel Alimbuyao, chief of the NHA North and Central Luzon Area Management Office, said Pineda’s request for the transfer of the Magalang property “is now in the NHA board.” 

“The area in Magalang is flood-free and ideal to house at least 2,000 families. The planned evacuation center there will ensure the safety and health care of the evacuees,” Pineda said. 

Records show that torrential monsoon rains affected around 170,758 families or 750,284 individuals in Pampanga last Aug. 7.       

Pineda also asked the KSAs to help the provincial government in identifying residents who deserve to be given permanent housing units.