16 N. Iloilo Families Receive New Typhoon-Resilient Houses

Iloilo City (PNA) — A total of 16 families in the northern Iloilo town of Sara who lost their houses during super typhoon “Yolanda” received new houses from Taguyod Bayan Foundation, Inc. (TBFI).

In the turn-over ceremony over the weekend at Barangay Antonio Yusay, TBFI president Don Agudo explained that the eight units of duplex houses are designed to be disaster resilient.

He explained that the Taguyod Bayan Village is the first project of TBFI, whose goal is to create disaster resilient communities by providing quality and disaster resilient houses.

The beneficiaries, who are carefully selected from the town’s 48 barangays, underwent values formation modules and community-building activities, facilitated in cooperation with the Gawad Kalinga.

They also trained on disaster preparedness and management so they will know what to do during disasters, he added.

The group, according to Agudo, is set to implement the third component of the project, which is to help establish sustainable livelihood program applicable for the community.

“Let us hope, and pull ourselves from poverty,” Agudo told the recipients.

“Although we are not asking for it, when calamities strike your town, I hope you will open your houses to your neighbors,” he added.

Board Member Jeneda Salcedo-Orendain, who represented her father Mayor Neptali Salcedo Sr., stressed how grateful the LGU is for the assistance.

She particularly thanked the donor of the one-hectare lot where the community is situated, the Yusay family of Iloilo City, who was represented by Marilyn Yusay-Rivera and her children.

She noted that after “Yolanda”, the LGU really needed help of private donors to accommodate the cry for help of the victims, particularly for shelter as most houses in Sara were damaged and destroyed by the typhoon.

TBFI was established in February 2014 by a group of college students based in Manila.

It envisions itself to be catalyst for social change and poverty alleviation by integrating and engaging the community with durable housing units, disaster risk management schemes, community-building activities, and sustainable livelihood programs.

The group joins the public and private institutions in seeking policies that will highlight the importance of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness in the country.

If their resources permit, Agudo said they plan to replicate the project in other towns in Iloilo. (PNA) JBP/AJP/MADE LOS SANTOS/CBF