Building of quake-proof homes starts in Albay

A United Nations-backed agency has started constructing some 350 typhoon and earthquake-proof homes for some 1,750 Bicol residents who survived typhoon Reming in 2006. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the homes are located at the Tagaytay Resettlement Site in Camalig town in Albay province. In a statement on its Web site, the IOM said the homes were part of its Bicol Core Permanent Shelter and Community Revitalization Assistance Project. Under the project, IOM will construct 907 permanent shelters, and five community centers in five project sites in Albay and Camarines Sur. The United States Agency for International Development provides funding for the project. The project started in October 2007 and will benefit some 4,535 people. It supports the Philippine government’s sustainable resettlement program for typhoon Reming survivors who have been living in temporary shelters for over a year. - GMANews.TV