Surigao Norte town, NGO to build 100 houses damaged by 'Odette'

BUTUAN CITY – The town government of Sison in Surigao del Norte, in partnership with ACTED-Philippines, a French non-government organization (NGO), is set to rebuild 100 houses damaged by Typhoon Odette in December last year, an official said Tuesday.

In an interview, Mayor Karissa R. Fetalvero-Paronia said ACTED-Philippines Country Director Fabien Courteille visited them on Monday and finalized the startup of the rebuilding of damaged houses in three barangays of Sison town.

“The beneficiaries are residents of Barangays Ima, Mabuhay, and San Pablo whose houses were destroyed by the typhoon last December. Most of the beneficiaries in Barangays Ima and Mabuhay are from the (indigenous) communities,” Paronia said.

Each beneficiary in the three barangays will receive PHP40,000 worth of construction materials, she said.

Of the total amount for each beneficiary, PHP27,000 worth of construction materials will come from ACTED-Philippines while the remaining sum will be provided by the local government unit (LGU).

“We are set to start the construction and rehabilitation of the damaged houses next week after the completion of the procurement of all the needed materials,” Paronia said.

She added that ACTED-Philippines will also provide a five-day cash-for-work scheme amounting to PHP5,700 to two family members of each beneficiary to the housing program.

“We are thankful for the support of ACTED-Philippines to our constituents who were devastated by Typhoon Odette last year,” Paronia said.

She added that Courteille, during his visit, also assessed the continuing relief operations of the NGO in the town that started last January.

“We also discussed the possible partnership for the rehabilitation of the Early Childhood Care and Development Center that was also damaged during the typhoon,” Paronia said. (PNA)