Allen, Northern Samar – Typhoon Nona survivors proudly showed the results of their efforts as they completed almost half of the targeted number of core shelters, in Felixville, Brgy. Sabang II, this municipality. The survivors have completed 25 shelters, and are still building an additional 33 shelters, with 2 more units for lay-out.

These 60 units are part of DSWD’s Core Shelter Assistance Project, with each unit costing P160,000.00. The DSWD has set aside a total of P 9,600,000.00 for this project. The LGU counterpart is a 3,500-meter-lot

These shelters are built to be environment-friendly and structurally strong, able to withstand up to 220 kph of wind velocity, earthquakes up to intensity 4 on the Richter scale, and any other similar disasters.

Aside from building the shelters, DSWD also invests in the beneficiaries themselves by involving the community and developing social responsibility. This includes the establishment of the Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA) composed of the beneficiaries themselves.

The NASA is tasked with managing and taking care of the community. It is also responsible for the general peace and order of the community. Some of the rules set by the NASA include the arrangement of work shifts and the distribution of labor.

“We are not after the building themselves, but the process.” says Allen Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Myrna Tan. Aside from the housing units, additional projects have been planned in coordination with various agencies for the development of the community.

Most of the residents in the community are farmers and fishermen, and in order to help them with their livelihood, construction of a wet market has been planned so that they can sell their produce. There are also plans for the construction of a day care center, a drainage system for a nearby creek, a vegetable garden area, and the development of roads.

The residents were trained in partnership with TESDA to help build these units. Proudly displaying his NC-II identification card, Alejandro Dela Torre, a resident beneficiary, states that they were trained in masonry. He says that this would be an additional source of income, as he can apply for a job as a mason in addition to his work as a pedicab driver.

“Who knows? Maybe they’ll get us for Marawi, to help rebuild, since the buildings have been destroyed by gunfire and explosions,” he jokingly adds, exemplifying the Filipino spirit of the “bayanihan.”

“These shelters would not have been constructed without cooperation,” he adds. “We do what we can. We help with the work.”#