President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez led the ceremonial turnover of Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) projects in Leyte Jan. 17, proof of the government’s commitment to rebuild communities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda 11 years ago.
The event, held in Burauen, Leyte, included the turnover of symbolic keys to local government officials from eight municipalities across Leyte, Samar, and Biliran where the housing projects were built. These projects are part of the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) efforts to provide permanent and dignified homes for Yolanda survivors.
The YPHP turnover included completed housing units in the following communities: Cool Spring Residences (Burauen Housing Project) in Burauen, Leyte; Riverside Community Residences (Tabontabon Housing Project) in Tabontabon, Leyte; Mont Village Subdivision in Tanauan, Leyte; Coconut Grove Village in Julita, Leyte;
Marabut Village Sites 1 and 2 in Marabut, Samar; Pastrana Ville in Pastrana, Leyte; Dagami Town Ville in Dagami, Leyte; and Culaba Housing Project in Culaba, Biliran.
The turnover involved 3,517 housing units for families affected by Typhoon Yolanda, especially those in unsafe or no-build zones. Of these 1,963 were already awarded and occupied.
Each unit has a floor area of between 22 to 28.6 square meters and is built on a lot of about 40 square meters.
The ceremonial turnover also included the signing of a memorandum of agreement and deed of donation and acceptance, formalizing the transfer of housing units to their beneficiaries.
Municipal mayors, representing the eight recipient LGUs, expressed gratitude on behalf of their constituents.
Romualdez, in a press release from his office, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the national government and local stakeholders in addressing housing needs and ensuring disaster recovery.
“This is also about restoring dignity and giving our kababayans a chance to rebuild their futures,” he said.
Community beneficiaries, meanwhile, shared their heartfelt gratitude during the event as part of the program.
According to the NHA, it has completed 175,728 out of 189,800 target units, as of December 2024, including the 3,517 units involved in the ceremonial turnover, while the remaining 14,072 units are expected to be completed by December 2025.
Around 67 percent, or 133,725, of the completed housing units were already awarded to, and occupied by, beneficiaries. ||
