57 families in Arayat find hope with new homes
FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS: Fifty seven family beneficiaries found new hope as the construction of core shelters for the victims of the landslide tragedy, brought about by typhoon Ondoy in 2009, is finally completed.
The landslide tragedy, which transpired September 26, 2009 in the small village of San Juan Baño at the base of Mount Arayat, took 12 innocent lives leaving their families distraught and shocked. The event was so sudden that the whole province was taken by surprise.
More surprised and devastated than anyone else was Manuel dela Cruz who had lost his whole family at landslide tragedy.
His three children and his pregnant wife were all at their home in San Juan Baño when the unfortunate incident transpired.
“In the blink of an eye, I had lost everything,” dela Cruz tearfully shared.
Now, he is one of the first 57 family beneficiaries to receive their new homes and is very grateful for the continuous assistance from the government.
“Losing my loved ones in a terrible and sudden way was such a blow, but I am still fortunate that I now have a roof over my head. The government’s support to us, victims of the landslide tragedy, is very much appreciated. After being emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially distressed, our worries are now lessened,” dela Cruz added.
More fortunate than dela Cruz, to say the least, is Lyka Tacuzalma who also lost their home in San Juan Baño.
Luckily, unlike dela Cruz, her family was spared.
“Good thing we were still on the road after visiting my in-laws when the landslide happened,” Tacuzalma explained.
“The feeling was so surreal; I could not believe what I saw at first. We were shocked to see that our home was not where it used to be, yet we still felt thankful and blessed that we were not home when it happened,” she added.
Three years after the unfortunate event, dela Cruz and Tacuzalma are two of the beneficiaries of the Core Shelter Assistance program made possible with the convergence of services from the national, provincial, and local government units.
The provincial government headed by Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda, National Housing Authority (NHA) represented by Director Inez Gonzales, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) represented by Division Chief Maribel Blanco, and the local government of Arayat represented by Vice Mayor Hilario “Larry” Trinidad, recently led the turn-over ceremonies of the newly constructed core shelters for the victims of the landslide tragedy.
Blanco and Gonzales both recognized the efforts of Governor Pineda in the efficient handling of the housing project.
The provincial government, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office led by Elizabeth Estiller-Baybayan, also facilitated the delivery of social services like housing, relief operations, and skills training, to improve the living conditions of the displaced victims of the landslide tragedy.
“Our old home that was destroyed during the landslide was just made out of straw and bamboo mat, now we have a better and safer home,” Tacuzalma said with a smile as she received the certificate for their new core shelter.
Currently, the two families are residing in bunk houses provided by the provincial government in 2010.
“As soon as the electric lines are fixed, we can finally move to our new homes,” Tacuzalma happily added.
A total of 170 core shelter units are due to be released this year for the relocated victims of the 2009 landslide. (Angelique Tuazon, PIO Pampanga)
