Yolanda survivors: Elizabeth Cuesta, one of the newest homeowners at the NHA housing units at Cold Spring Residences in Brgy. Arado, Burauen, Leyte, exclaimed her happiness as she finally moved her family into a safer home. (Photo: PIA Leyte)
BURAUEN, Leyte (PIA) — More than a decade after Supertyphoon Yolanda unleashed its wrath in many Visayas towns, families who lost their homes will now at last be settling in a place they can call their own.
A total of 429 families coming from different areas in Burauen, Leyte finally received their Deed of Donation and Acceptance from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a formal turn over ceremony held at Burauen Community College Multi Purpose Center in Burauen, Leyte.
The new homeowners will be settling at their housing units at Cool Spring Residences in Brgy. Arado, about two kilometers away from Burauen town. The housing project was developed by the National Housing Authority under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Program.
The 429 recipients are part of the 3,517 housing units turned over Friday, January 17, which were constructed under the YPHP of the government in Leyte, Samar and Biliran and are mostly for the 2013 Supertyphoon Yolanda survivors, disaster affected and internally displaced families and those living in high-risk areas.
Elizabeth Cuesta, formerly of Lugsongan, a village in Burauen located along a riverside, exclaimed for happiness as she finally moved her family into their new home saying they have long awaited for this moment to happen.
With their source of living close to the riverbanks, Cuesta’s family had to sustain their temporary home, which poses danger during heavy rains as the area is prone to flooding.
Another beneficiary, Sheila Juarez from Barangay Takin, counts herself and her family fortunate to be awarded with a housing unit.
Juarez’ former home was located in a landslide-prone area. She said among the hundreds of Yolanda survivors who needed housing support, she is thankful she will finally be getting one.
Cool Spring Residences has a total of 600 housing units on a 3.85-hectare property. The housing project got its name from the term “burabod” which means cold spring that abounds in the municipality.
Yolanda survivors who have lost their homes have been prioritized to be given housing units under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP).
The YPHP has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of eight projects across Leyte, Samar, and Biliran. As of December 31, 2024, some 1,963 of these units have already been occupied by their intended beneficiaries, as identified by the Local Inter-Agency Committee. (ACR/PIA Leyte)
