President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai, Human Settlement and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla and other government officials join housing beneficiaries for a group photo following the ceremonial turnover of eight completed Yolanda Permanent Housing Program projects in the provinces of Leyte, Samar and Biliran. The turnover ceremony was held at the Burauen Community College Multi-Purpose Gym in Burauen, Leyte on Friday morning (Jan. 17, 2025).
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Friday led the ceremonial turnover of Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) projects in Leyte, proof of the government’s commitment to rebuild communities devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda 11 years ago.
The event, held in Burauen, Leyte, includes 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.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Pangulo para sa patuloy na suporta sa ating lalawigan. Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa simpleng pabahay kundi simbolo ito ng pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The YPHP turnover includes completed housing units in the following communities:
1. Cool Spring Residences (Burauen Housing Project) in Burauen, Leyte
2. Riverside Community Residences (Tabontabon Housing Project) in Tabontabon, Leyte
3. Mont Village Subdivision in Tanauan, Leyte
4. Coconut Grove Village in Julita, Leyte
5. Marabut Village Sites 1 and 2 in Marabut, Samar
6. Pastrana Ville in Pastrana, Leyte
7. Dagami Town Ville in Dagami, Leyte
8. Culaba Housing Project in Culaba, Biliran
The turnover involved 3,517 housing units for families affected by 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.
“Ang mga bahay na ito ay kumakatawan sa bagong pag-asa at bagong simula para sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng Yolanda,” Speaker Romualdez added.
“Ito ay patunay ng malasakit at pagkakaisa sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng ating mahal na Pangulong Marcos Jr.”
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.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of collaboration between the national government and local stakeholders in addressing housing needs and ensuring disaster recovery.
“Ang tagumpay ng proyektong ito ay dahil sa pagtutulungan ng lahat ng sektor – mula sa pamahalaan hanggang sa ating mga komunidad,” he noted.
Community beneficiaries also shared their heartfelt gratitude during the event as part of the program.
Speaker Romualdez underscored the significance of these efforts in ensuring that Yolanda survivors can rebuild their lives.
“This is also about restoring dignity and giving our kababayans a chance to rebuild their futures,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez reiterated his commitment to advocating for disaster preparedness and recovery programs in Congress.
“Patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mga programang magbibigay ng seguridad at katiyakan sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Ang bawat tahanan ay simbolo ng pag-asa, at ang bawat proyektong ito ay patunay ng ating sama-samang pagsusumikap para sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Speaker Romualdez added.
According to the NHA, it has completed 175,728 out of 189,800 target units as of December 2024, including the 3,517 units in today’s 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 and are now occupied by beneficiaries.
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