NHA to build 15,948 housing units for Yolanda survivors in Aklan, relocation sites remain a problem

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A total of 15,948 housing units are targeted for construction in the province of Aklan for Typhoon Yolanda survivors. But the acquisitions of acceptable relocation sites remain a major problem for local government units. 

Atty. Clarence Guinto, who heads the Office for Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR)-Aklan, said the resettlement projects will focus in 11 coastal towns of Aklan affected by super typhoon Yolanda back in November 2013.

The first 393 permanent housing units will be constructed in Altavas, Aklan for Yolanda-affected families by the National Housing Authority (NHA), the implementing arm in charge of construction of housing communities.  

Last March 17, NHA and OPARR had a ground breaking ceremony in the resettlement site in Barangay Talon in Altavas, Aklan. Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, Altavas mayor Denny Refol and Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. graced the occasion.

Guinto, also a former Aklan police provincial director, said bulk of the Yolanda rehabilitation funds for Aklan will be used for the construction of housing units of families living in unsafe areas.

Despite the availability of government funds, only the town of Altavas, Aklan has titled lands for relocation sites for the permanent housing project.  

Guinto said a resettlement summit in Aklan is tentatively scheduled this month with NHA and Housing Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) officials to help the 10 remaining municipalities to find solutions on issues on housing settlement projects, among others, in identifying titled lands for displaced families. 

A Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) composed of both national and local government agencies and local non-government organizations will also monitor and supervise the progress of the relocation sites. 

 “Unavailability of lands ang common problem ng mga munisipyo. Dapat titulado  hindi tax declarations ang lupa para sa settlement sites,” he added.

OPARR, a member of the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee, is mandated to monitor, coordinate and manage the recovery and rehabilitation efforts including monitoring all Yolanda projects and the distribution of emergency shelter assistance in areas affected by Yolanda.