DSWD-7, Habitat Turnover Another 194 Shelter Units in 5 LGUs of Bohol

Another 194 units of Modified Core Shelter Assistance Project (MCSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity Philippines have been officially turned over to residents of Sagbayan, Catigbian, Carmen, Balilihan and Tubigon, Bohol yesterday, 6th of June 2019.

To address the loss of shelter of the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that have hit the Province of Bohol, The DSWD-7 in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity Philippines as its partner non-government organization established a project which aims to accommodate the housing need of the victims.

Each core shelter has a total lot area of 25 sq. meters which includes toilet and installation of connection for electricity and water supply.

According to DSWD-7 Regional Shelter Infrastructure Officer Engr. Aguinaldo Jimenez, the core shelters are made following a modified design different from the common standard design of other core shelter projects. Possible disasters like earthquake and typhoon that might hit the area again have been considered in the construction of the final modified design for the shelters. Steel frames that are industrially fabricated and are precut with holes already as the main structural support of the shelters, helped in the fast and easy installation of the materials in spite of the distant construction site and the absence of electricity.

“The steel materials are good to use in an earthquake resilient design due to its high tensile strength and ductile nature that could withstand a maximum load or stress which make the design durable from collapsing,” Engr. Jimenez explained.

The beneficiaries of the core shelter project also had their share in the construction of the houses through provision of bamboo slots or “lipak” for alternative walling, preparation of lot, exaction of zocalo and septic tank, hauling of materials, labor-sweat equity and the installation of connection for electricity and water supply.
There has been a total of 2,751 units of the MCSAP that were officially turned over to the recipients in Bohol, while the remaining 1,535 units are set to be turned over on June 13-14 this year.

“Nalipay gyud ko kay nakapuyo na gyud mi nga kumpleto na gyud ang balay, dili pareha sauna nga nagtabon-tabon lang mi, nag barong-barong lang mi nga kanang makita pa gyud among atop. Ampingan gyud ko ni. Dili nako ni ibaligya, para ra gyud ni sa akong pamilya (I am really happy that we are living in a fully-equipped home now. Unlike before, we were only sheltered under a makeshift shack. I will take care and will not sell this house. This is only for my family),” Gina Canino, one of the recipients of the core shelters, expressed.

Certificates of Entitlement have been given to the recipients of the core shelter before the construction of their units while Certificates of Completion, Acceptance and Occupancy have been provided to them during the turnover of the units.

The Community Development Officer of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Mr. Ricardo Nogalada, also left short message and reminder to the recipients of the MCSAP units during the short program conducted after a ceremonial blessing and turnover of a core shelter unit in Sagbayan, Bohol.

“Naglantaw mi nga naa na unya moy mga desente nga panimalay, ug nalipay mi nga usa mi sa mga nahimong instrument sa Ginoo nga makatabang sa inyo ug maghatag sa inyo og paglaom. Among panghinaot karon nga opisyal nang na turnover sa inyo ang mga balay, inyo unta kining ampingan. Sa kanunay mahimo unta kining panimalay nga anaa ang paghinigugmaay, pagsinabtanay ug pagtinabangay (We have looked forward to providing you decent houses, and we are glad that we became one of the instruments used by God to help and give you hope. Now that your houses are officially turned over to you, may it always be a home occupied will love, understanding, and unity),” Mr. Nogalada shared.