By Toni Krizia Vivares
Mayor Ceasar Perez visits and inspects the construction in Brgy. Maahas to check the status of beneficiaries. (Photo Posted in Los Baños Group Facebook Page)
As of June 2015, 154 houses were constructed for the Core Shelter Assistance Program of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with Municipal Urban Development Housing office (MUDHO)
Forty eight of these houses are in Brgy. Lalakay, while 106 are located in Brgy. Maahas.
Certificate of Lot Awards (CELA) are given to the families living in danger areas such as shores and uplands in Brgy. Bambang and Brgy. Batong Malake . This will entitle them right of occupancy.
The projects aims to help victims of calamities build their houses. “Ang layunin ng programa ay maibalik sa normal yung buhay ng mga nasalanta na nasiraan ng bahay.Pero dahil nakatira sila sa danger zone, nirerelocate natin sila sa mas safe na lugar,”said Dimaano.
Beneficiaries are low income families that had been residing in the damaged area before the calamities happen. They are assessed based from the records of local government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRRMC).
Aside from providing shelter materials, the project aims to organize citizens and capacitate them to build their own houses. Beneficiaries are expected to form homeowners association and make their own Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Jenylyn Landoy (24) lived in Brgy, Bambang before she was relocated in Brgy. Maahas on 2010. She said new residents have better condition now compare to what they had before.
“Nung 2010, wala pa kaming kuryente nung lumipat. Ngayon sila meron na. Meron na rin silang nakukunan ng pantambak sa bahay, kami dati wala. Bumibili pa kami.” She said
Landoy said that their only problem now is the source of water.
“Sa dampalit kasi nun, galing sa ilog kaya maraming tubig.Dito mahirap, kasi poso ang ginagamit namin. Kaya yung iba nagpapakabit ng gripo.”
The program is still under DSWD but MUDHO helps in identifying and monitoring the implementation of the project
Their goal is to finish the construction this month. Thirty more houses are being reconstructed in Brgy. Maahas.