Bais LGU to ensure houses for storm survivors are livable

Bais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi (2nd from right) supervising the distribution of relief goods to residents of Odette-affected barangays in the city. (Photo courtesy of Bais City PIO)

BAIS CITY, Negros Oriental, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- The local chief executive of this city has assured that the houses which will be built for typhoon Odette survivors will be livable and conducive for families.

“I am also very particular about the housing. We will make sure that people who will live there will be happy. Not just a square house na init (that’s hot inside).  We have to make sure you would want to live there,” said Mayor Mercedes Goñi in a recent interview with the members of the local media.

Bais City is one of the cities and municipalities in the province which were badly-hit by Typhoon Odette last December.

As of Jan. 24, the city goverment has tallied the total number of damaged houses at 2,677, while the number of partially damaged houses is at 12,307.

The number of households affected is at 14,900.

The national government, through the National Housing Authority (NHA), has turned over P27.5 million to the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental which is intended for the construction of houses for typhoon Odette victims in the province.

However, Goñi disclosed that she has no idea how much will be allocated for Bais City, but noted that those whose houses were completely obliterated by the raging flood caused by the typhoon will be given priority once the project pushes through.

“We have promised these housing to some people through NHA but we will give it to those who really have nothing,” Goñi said.

She cited as an example the residents in Brgy. Cabanlutan whose houses were wiped out by a river that overflowed, stressing that the city government would not want them to rebuild houses in the same area for their safety in case another typhoon similar to Odette would happen again.

The mayor also welcomed the directive of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to utilize government lands for the housing project, saying it would help the local government unit since it can not afford to buy lots as it is too costly. 

Goñi assured to accomplish this before the end of her term.

The local chief executive also added that the city government is looking into short term to long term initiatives to ensure the complete restoration and rehabilitation of Bais City following the aftermath of the typhoon.

“It will take a lot of planning because we don’t want to do something quickly without thinking at least the next 10 to 20 years. The short term should be five (years and) the long term should be 15 or 30 (years),” Goñi said.

“We are at our lowest now. There’s nowhere to go but rise up. We can and we will rise up from this with help of good people, our national government, of course, God (who is) always helping us,” she saiad. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)