DSWD prioritizing relocation houses, temporary shelter for some Sendong victims 

Families rendered homeless by Tropical Storm “Sendong” will be grouped and prioritized to determine who among them will get priority in the government's core shelter assistance program.   The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stressed in a statement that household in the following circumstances will get priority:   - families with small children - families with pregnant and lactating mothers - surrogate parents of orphaned children living in evacuation centers who are equally situated with totally damaged shelter units - families with damaged houses whose head of household died or were incapacitated as a result of the disaster - families with seriously ill members, or persons with disabilities or with special needs   The Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) involves the provision of structurally strong and indigenous shelter constructed in disaster-safe relocation areas. The units can withstand up to 220 kph winds, and earthquakes up to Intensity IV.   The DSWD and local government units have identified nine relocation sites in Cagayan de Oro and four in Iligan City for "Sendong" victims.   In Cagayan de Oro City, seven temporary relocation sites are located in:   - Calaanan, Lumbia - Agusan Elementary School - Mandumol basketball court - Buena Oro covered court - Camaman-an Covered Court - Fatima Parish Hall - Mt. Carmel Church   Two permanent relocation sites were also identified in Calaanan (9.5 hectares) and Lumbia (5 hectares).   In Iligan City, three permanent relocation sites were identified by National Steel Corporation (8 hectares), Sta. Felomina (3 hectares) and Sta Elena (14.4 hectares); and one temporary relocation site in Barangay Tambo by the Integrated Bus Terminal.   Bunkhouses are also being built in Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro to accommodate 350 families.   The DSWD will construct bunkhouses for 120 families, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will build bunkhouses for 230 families.   At least 80 tents are now installed in Barangay Tambo, Iligan City, and 70 more tents will be installed soon.   LGU social workers conducted validation of beneficiaries for the core shelter program of the DSWD.   Meanwhile, Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz conducted the first assembly at Barangay Santiago for the relocation and build-on-site scheme, which lets evacuees return to their locality provided that the area is not identified as a danger zone. — ELR, GMA News