Capitol, Caritas Complete 607 Disaster-Resilient Houses in Kinatarcan Island

Nearly four years after Typhoon Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) devastated Central Philippines including northern Cebu, Caritas Switzerland and the Cebu Provincial Government formally delivered about 607 owner-driven and disaster-resilient houses for typhoon Yolanda survivors in Kinatarcan Island, Sta. Fe town on Thursday.

Caritas Switzerland Country Director to the Philippines Marcel Reymond said that within their two-year stay in the island, Yolanda survivors have reconstructed their own shelter with the Capitol’s support.

Caritas finalized the construction of 120 houses in Barangay Bitoon, 269 in Barangay Hagdan and 218 in Barangay Langub.

The owner-driven reconstruction program aims to increase the sense of ownership and self-reliance of Yolanda survivors through community-oriented processes such as spatial forms and social infrastructures.

Made from local materials such as limestone blocks, the 64-square meter household is complete with wash and sanitation area.

The interlocking compressed limestone blocks are designed to withstand a very strong wind of up to 200 km/h. The structure can also resist earthquakes up to 7.2 on the Richter scale.

All houses are equipped with adequate sanitation facilities that aim to improve the health condition of the families.

“I stand here before all of you with smiling eye and crying eye. Smiling eye because we have completed this project, thanks to your support, we have completed 600 plus houses in time with great results,” Reymond said.

“And with crying eyes because since the project is finished, it means that we are leaving the island. We thank you for your hospitality,” he added.

Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Andrea Reichlin graced the turn-over ceremony along with representative from the Head of the International Cooperation of Caritas Switzerland Anja Ebnother, Office of the Presidential Assistance for the Visayas (OPAV) Engr. Ricardo Mendoza, Cebu PDRRMO chief Baltazar S. Tribunalo Jr. and Sta. Fe Mayor Lito Esgana.

Caritas is an international charitable organization that provides emergency relief and post-disaster reconstruction.

For its part, the Cebu Provincial Government supported the organization by providing assistance in the transport of heavy equipment and housing materials to the island.

The owner-driven housing project also included community measures to improve the resiliency of the communities.