By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
A total of 4,215 core house units have been turned over to the survivors of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol in 2013.
Rodenar Sagaral and family from Tubigon, Bohol are now ready to occupy their new house built through the Modified Core Shelter Assistance Project (MSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Also in the photo are staffs from DSWD Field Office VII and representatives of Habitat for Humanity. (DSWD Website / MANILA BULLETIN)
The houses were constructed through the Modified Core Shelter Assistance Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity-Philippines.
Families from the towns of Sagbayan, Catigbian, Carmen, Balilihan, Tubigon, Loon, Calape, Antequera, Buenavista, Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Danao, Inabanga, Maribojoc, San Isidro, and Sevilla are now the proud owners of these houses after receiving their certificates of completion, acceptance, and occupancy from the DSWD.
Each core shelter has a total lot area of 25 square meters with toilet and provisions for electricity and water supply.
The core shelters were built using a modified design to make these more durable against disasters.
Earthquakes and typhoons of various intensities and strengths were considered in coming up with the final design of the shelter, which uses industrially fabricated steel frames as the main structural support, said DSWD-Central Visayas Regional Shelter Infrastructure Officer Aguinaldo Jimenez explained.
“The steel materials are good to use in an earthquake resilient design due to its high tensile strength and ductile nature that could withstand a maximum load or stress which make the design durable from collapsing,” he said.
The beneficiaries of the core shelter project also had their share in the construction of the houses through provision of bamboo slots for alternative walling, preparation of the lots, hauling of materials, and installation of connections for electricity and water supply.