The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is eyeing to provide permanent relocation houses for those whose homes were totally destroyed in Abra province following a magnitude 7 earthquake last month.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar disclosed that the private sector will be the government’s close partner in its vision to establish a safe and decent relocation site for the severely affected quake victims.
The DSHUD — with its key shelter agencies the National Housing Authority and Home Development Mutual Fund — recently signed two memorandums of understanding with SM Development Corporation for the construction of the resettlement houses in towns of Tayum and Bucay.
The deal allows the government to explore its options in extending shelter assistance programs for quake-stricken residents.
The developers may offer incentivized compliance to the Balanced Housing Development Program including rental subsidy, purchase of land as relocation site and land development.
Meantime, Acuzar asked the local government units of Bucay and Tayum to study potential subsidized housing projects for their respective constituents as the national government is ready to provide assistance.