Posted on by Nicole Kasandra Lipawen

Forty-one (41) brand new housing units were turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development DSWD Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) through its Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) in partnership with the City Government of Vigan, Ilocos Sur to victims whose houses were destroyed by Typhoon Mario in September 2016.

“We are grateful with the Core Shelter Assistance Program which aims to provide a house that is safe place to live. We now own a place we call our home. We are forever grateful for the assistance you have provided us,” said Leehlot Reotutar, one of the CSAP beneficiaries.

DSWD FO 1 – Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section (DRRS) Head Sheryll J. Bringas said in behalf of Regional Director Marie Angela S. Gopalan, DSWD FO 1 is glad to finally award the certificate of completion and occupancy to the deserving beneficiaries of the program in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

DRRS Head Ms. Bringas (in red vest) together with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Celerina Agcamaran (in pink) hand over certificate of completion and ownership to one of the beneficiaries.

“Alam ko pong naging matagal ang proseso dahil sa mga hindi inaasahang delay pero masaya po kaming makita kayong masaya at nakangiti habang iniaabot po namin ang inyong certificate. Dream come true rin po ito sa amin sa Kagawaran dahil alam po naming magiging safe po kayo sa inyong bagong tahanan (I am aware that the process took so long due to unexpected delays but we are happy to see that you are glad and smiling as we hand over your certificates. This is also a dream come true for us in the Department because we know that you will now be safe in your new homes),” Ms. Bringas added.

DSWD FO 1 provided PhP14 million shelter assistance grants utilized for the construction materials and supplies for 200 housing units in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur while the Local Government Unit augmented for the electrical, plumbing, windows, and doors. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries served as laborers in building their own homes.

The awarding ceremony was graced by the members of the Neighborhood Association and Shelter Assistance Officers, City Government of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and DSWD FO 1. CSAP is a national program funded by the DSWD to assist family victims of disaster to acquire decent shelter. by: Nicole Kasandra A. Lipawen, Information Officer II –DRMD