The P9.2 million monetary assistance donated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be able to build more than 80 prototype houses for the earthquake-displaced residents in Makilala, North Cotabato.
This was disclosed by 10th Infantry Division (ID) Commander Brigadier General Jose Faustino, Jr. during the welcome ceremony for Governor Nancy Catamco, who assumed office last Thursday, November 21 at the Amas Provincial Capitol in Kidapawan City.
Faustino said half of the P9,226,600, which was collected from the meal allowance of the AFP personnel, will be allotted for the purchase of the 4-hectare land while the other half is for the construction of temporary houses that will benefit 80 to 85 families.
“This is a good way to start since the ultimate goal of the AFP is to assist the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the province.”
The durability of the prototype houses, said Faustino, were already tested and it is “resilient”.
“Sinubukan namin tirahin ng tubig ng bumbero at di ito basta basta nababasa and strong, I should say it is resilient,” he explained, adding that these temporary shelters may last up to 4 to 5 years.
“These shelters are far better than the tents,” Faustino said.
The LGU, on the other hand, have already identified land areas where the relocation sites will rise but it is yet to be disclosed.
However, some land owners in Makilala, North Cotabato are reportedly raising the prices of the land where the relocation site can be built in.
“May nag donate na yata ng lots but others are taking advantage of it, tinataas nila ang presyo ng lupa so nagkakaproblema tayo doon,” the commander added.
Around 60 to 70 percent of the area in Makilala are inhabitable after the series of earthquakes.
“Very few nalang ang pwede pag lipatan around 30 to 40 percent of the area, so pipiliin mo talaga saan itatayo to,” Faustino said.
Apart from providing shelters for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the province, AFP is urged to help build relocation sites to declog schools which serve as the main evacuation center.
“Out of the 11 evacuation centers, 9 are schools. So medyo apektado yung pagaaral ng mga bata we assist the LGU para ma declog ang schools at para makapag aral na sila,” he said.
The AFP official also said they have maintained the task force of the AFP particularly the army to secure the areas in Makilala.
