DSWD-CAR turns over core shelter in Pudtol
By Redjie Melvic Cawis
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — At least 31 typhoon-affected families in the municipality of Pudtol in Apayao province now has their own homes.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) with the local government of Pudtol turned over the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) to 31 beneficiaries in Barangay Cacalaggan last February 2.
The beneficiaries were also awarded their certificate of occupancy in the ceremony graced by DSWD-CAR Disaster Response Management Division OIC-Division Chief Marifil Jugal representing DSWD-CAR Regional Director Arnel Garcia, Municipal Administrator Aprilla Camilot representing Pudtol Mayor Hector Reuel Pascua, Vice Mayor Randy Laoat, Councilor Dennis Sinfuego, Liga ng mga Barangay President Joe Angco, SWAD Apayao Team Leader Gretchen Garcia and Cacalaggan Barangay Captain Ernesto Roberto and officers of the Innabuyog Neighborhood Association.
These core shelter units are structurally-strong and environment-friendly shelter units which can withstand 180 to 220 kilometer per hour wind, intensity four earthquakes, flooding and other similar hazards. It is a rehabilitation and mitigation strategy that uses work teams composed of the beneficiaries themselves to provide labor for the construction of their houses.
The DSWD-CAR provided a total of PHP 2,170,000 financial assistance for this core shelter project in the relocation site identified by the LGU.
Jugal praised Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, SWAD Office and all stakeholders the support and efforts of the local government unit, LGU and all the stakeholders for involvement in this undertaking which assures every beneficiary of sturdy homes
In her message, Camilot recounted how Mayor Pascua relentlessly poured efforts in the completion of the project as well as in providing additional infrastructure projects to the site and to the barangay as a whole. She mentioned about the Mayor’s continuing grassroots development projects and asked for the usual cooperation of the community members.
It can be recalled that iIn 2009, the houses of the beneficiaries were destroyed during the onslaught of Typhoon Kiko. In 2010, the agency funded the project to help the affected families have core shelters.
In March 2010, after the LGU identified a safe relocation site at Barangay Cacalaggan, the initial phase of the DSWD’s CSAP validation and construction of the shelter units started.
The construction encountered a lot of setbacks and concerns that were brought to the attention of the LGU in 2017.Series of meetings ensued with Mayor Pascua committing additional funds and materials so that these units would be completed.
Encountering a few more setbacks due to the onslaught of typhoons and calamities plus the current COVID-19 pandemic, the project was finally completed and turned over to its beneficiaries. (JDP/ RMC PIA-CAR_ (photos from Pudtol LGU)
