VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – Nearly three years after a devastating magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck northwestern Luzon, residents of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur are finally seeing the realization of their hopes for new homes.
Recently, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) broke ground for the project that will provide 190 housing units for families displaced by the July 27, 2022 quake.
The new housing project, located in Barangay Villamar, Caoayan, will prioritize families whose homes were destroyed and those living in designated “no-build zones.”
These zones, identified by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), are areas vulnerable to hazards like storm surges, tsunamis, landslides, and flooding, making them unsafe for habitation.
This initiative marks the first National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)-funded resettlement project in the Ilocos Region.
According to Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Ilocos Regional Director Laurence Mina, the 2022 earthquake impacted 41,000 families or over 163,000 individuals in the region, with Ilocos Sur bearing the brunt of the damage.
Over 8,224 houses were damaged, with more than 7,500 in Ilocos Sur alone.
“Under the leadership of the Marcos administration and with the support of various national government agencies, we have granted this project as part of our commitment to a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ – a nation that is more resilient, prosperous, and prepared for the future,” Mina said.
The DHSUD stated that the housing units are expected to be completed by July this year, with each family receiving a two-story housing unit.
Jojo Novesteras, punong barangay of Pandan and president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), noted that many of the families relocating to the resettlement area are from his barangay, which is situated near a disaster-prone river.
“Most of the families severely affected by the earthquake in Caoayan are from our barangay. They are informal settlers living in houses made of light materials. That’s why we are very grateful for this project, as we have been waiting for this assistance for so long,” Novesteras said.
Beyond providing shelter, the local government unit (LGU) is committed to building a thriving community.
Plans include a training center and livelihood programs such as piggery, poultry, and farming sites to empower residents and foster self-sufficiency.
“[We will] transform the resettlement area into a model community that we can all take pride in, not just for Caoayan, but for all Ilocos Sur,” the LGU stated.
The NDRRMC has identified five Ilocos Sur municipalities as having sustained significant earthquake damage: Caoayan, San Emilio, Sugpon, Santa, and Nagbukel.
These municipalities are included in the rehabilitation and recovery plan approved in November 2022.
Caoayan was the first to meet the requirements, and project proposals from the other municipalities are currently under review.
The government hopes these initiatives will not only rebuild homes but also strengthen communities, ensuring a more resilient future for all. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
