OVP, Dinagat Islands LGU looking to build safe houses for Odette survivors

The Office of the Vice President is looking to put up a housing project for victims of Typhoon Odette in the Dinagat Islands, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday.

Robredo made the announcement during her second visit to the province after the cyclone hit days before Christmas.

"We were able to send food thru Navy vessels, may Coast Guard, private so far. This is my second visit, and we went to the Operations Center to find out what assistance we could still give," Robredo said.

"Pinag-usapan namin ni Gov Kaka [Governor Kaka Bag-ao] na magpa-partner kami para siguraduhin na 'yung pagpapabahay ay maisaayos, na 'yung mga nas?raan ng bahay na nasa danger zones 'yung mga nasa coastal communities, rather than i-allow silang mag-rebuild doon na ma-eendanger ulit 'yung buhay nila,"she added.

[I had a talk with Dinagat islands governor Kaka Bag-ao that we should work together to ensure that the residents in danger zones, coastal communities, will be relocated to safe place rather than allow them to rebuild in the same are where it is not safe.]

Robredo also visited other Odette-hit provinces such Bohol, Cebu and Southern Leyte.

"The provincial government will provide the relocation site so that the new houses will be built better," Robredo said.

Robredo said OVP had a similar project, with the help of private donors, for the residents of Marawi City which was ravaged by terrorist Maute group from May to October 2017.

The office also had similar projects for the victims of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in 2020.

"These were done with the help of private funds and I told Governor Bag-ao that we are willing to work with the provincial government and seek assistance of private donors so we could be of help in this aspect," Robredo said.

Robredo said that there was a need to step up efforts in aiding Odette victims given that the affected areas were hard to reach by land or air.

"It is really difficult to reach the affected areas because there is no airport. We are dependent on sea cargo. So it is really difficult to send goods, and the damages brought by Odette were massive. We really have to double our efforts to ensure that the aid will reach those in need," Robredo said. —NB, GMA News