By Nanette Guadalquiver February 20, 2019, 7:37 pm

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 300 families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Silay City, Negros Occidental have received permanent housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA) at the relocation site in Barangay E. Lopez.

Yolanda housing turn-over in Silay. (left to right) Silay Housing Officer Raymund Eslawa, Mayor Mark Golez, beneficiary Herman Larida of Guimbalaon, Councilors Linda Caja & Mildred Garay, Third District Housing Coordinator Marie June Castro, Fire Marshall Joveln Zamar, and CENECO Engr. Francis Aurelio.

The development was announced on Wednesday by the Office of Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez, which is facilitating and coordinating the implementation of the housing project.

The 300 houses are part of the 1,992 housing units allocated for Silay City.

NHA-Bacolod manager Alejandro Ongsuco turned over to Mayor Mark Golez a miniature replica of the “Yolanda” housing unit during the ceremony held on Monday.

The mayor handed the symbolic key to the houses to Nora Sigaton, who represented the beneficiaries.

Golez congratulated the recipients and all those who made the implementation of the housing project possible.

“Form a homeowners association and ensure accreditation from the city government to avail of more development programs and assistance,” the mayor told the beneficiaries.

Benitez, chairperson of the House committee on housing and urban development, said in a message relayed by Marie June Castro, coordinator on district housing concerns, that he lauds the decision of beneficiaries to accept the Yolanda housing project.

“Moving your families from danger zones and giving your children a safe and decent shelter will lead to a brighter future and you will have the opportunity for security of tenure,” the legislator added.

The first batch of 300 informal settler-families that received the permanent housing units were from Barangays, 2, 3, 5, Balaring, Bagtic, E. Lopez, Hawaiian Central, Guinhalaran, Lantad and Patag.

These are families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda, as well as those living in high-risk areas and danger zones.

The housing site has a multi-purpose covered court with training center and open spaces for community facilities.

In the Third District alone, a total of 5,481 units of “Yolanda” permanent housing have been granted to qualified beneficiaries in three local government units.

Aside from the 1,992 housing units in Silay City, there are also 1,168 housing units in Barangay Sto. Niño, Municipality of E.B. Magalona and 2,321 housing units in Barangay 13, Victorias City included in the project.

These houses are part of the 27,055 permanent housing units constructed by the NHA in northern Negros, which was the worst-hit in the province during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013. (PNA)