Robredo launches housing project for typhoon-hit communities

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday evening launched a housing project called BAHAYanihan for communities who were affected by the consecutive typhoons that hit the Philippines in the latter half of 2020.

“Together with our partners, we are moving to the next phase of assisting communities affected by the recent typhoons. Through BAHAYanihan, we're looking to help families start over by building safer homes," Robredo said in a tweet.

According to the Vice President, the BAHAYanihan will start in Barangay Mauraro in Guinobatan, Albay to help families who lost their homes due to the lahar flow caused by Typhoon Rolly.

“This left families who are still in evacuation centers, without anything to return to—their houses, belongings, and even livelihood destroyed during the onslaught,” Robredo said.

Meanwhile, the relocation site for the new housing was provided by the local government.

“Through our housing initiative, we aim to help those who lived in danger zones as they start over, this time in safer homes,” the Vice President added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council previously said that Rolly destroyed 134,639 residences in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VIII, CAR, and NCR due to Rolly.

Meanwhile, the death toll related to the typhoon was pegged at 25 while damage to infrastructure was valued at P12,517,014,693.78.

We need more help with the labor workforce so that the families will have their houses by Christmas. Join us by signing up at https://t.co/bT495xtDkC, or send us an email at ovpbahayanihan@gmail.com. https://t.co/auEzRsQJQX pic.twitter.com/zO4jvk8PIU

— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) December 1, 2020

Robredo said a portion of the construction materials would be funded through the Kaya Natin initiative.

Robredo's office had also partnered with the Bicol University's College of Engineering, the United Architects of the Philippines Daraga-Cagsawa Chapter and Elliptical Chapter, and the JCI Legazpi “to ensure the quality of the houses.”

She also called on more volunteers and partner organizations to join the initiative. Robredo added that online training will be held for the volunteers.

Robredo said those interested may sign up at bit.ly/ovpbayanihan. — DVM, GMA News