Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has assured victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” that Malacañang will stay committed to its promise of free housing units as the country marked the seventh anniversary of the calamity last Sunday.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In a virtual turnover of 2,492 housing units to the victims of the super typhoon in Iloilo Friday, Nograles said the Palace is committed to fulfilling this particular promise of President Duterte.
"We will fulfill all our housing commitments," he said.
"That's the promise of President Duterte, and we are here to make that a reality," he added.
Nograles, who heads the Task Force Yolanda and the Yolanda Permanent Housing Program, said the devastating typhoon leaving a mark in the minds of Filipinos is the reason why the government strives to give the victims free housing units.
"This week marks the seventh year since typhoon Yolanda struck. It has remained in the public's consciousness because of the level of destruction it brought, especially for Ilonggos and the people in the region," he said.
"That's why this free housing benefit should put a happy and fitting end to years of waiting. The Duterte administration is making good on its promise to help the people of Iloilo," he added.
Based on data from the National Housing Authority (NHA), 88,804 of the planned 135,772 housing units for Region 6 have been completed as of October 2020, with the remaining 46,968 units undergoing construction.
Last month, Nograles said that the YPHP was given an additional P7.4 billion, allowing the government to construct more houses to be distributed for free to the victims of the devastating typhoon in 2013.
He reiterated that the housing units will be given to the victims of Yolanda for free as ordered by Duterte.