Nueva Era eyes housing project launch soon

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here is set to launch a free housing project for their less fortunate and indigent constituents.

The project, which also involves the Ilocos Norte provincial government, is set to start before the end of the year and targets at least 50 families as initial beneficiaries.

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida said the joint project will also involve barangay officials.

The project aims to help those who are less fortunate and indigent families who are always being affected by typhoons whose houses are made of light materials and as such is easily destroyed or damaged by typhoons.

In light of this, the municipal government and the town’s barangays signed a memorandum of agreement to help those families in the construction of semi-permanent structures made from cement and galvanized roofing.

The municipal government thru the engineering office will look into the materials needed and the location.

Beneficiaries, however, are also expected to their part. As they will end up as owners of the house, they should provide the lot where the house will be built. The beneficiaries are also expected to render labor services in the construction of the house.

The municipal and provincial governments will provide all the construction materials needed.

Mr. Garvida disclosed that they have been planning this for a long time now but due to the numerous requirements needed by the National Housing Authority (NHA), this was delayed.

This time however, he vowed to begin it this year and they will also set a target of 50 beneficiaries every year.

Mr. Garvida added that the housing project will start in the northern part of their town. The southern part will be touched next year.

He also stated that this year’s beneficiaries were selected with the help of barangay officials and the Dept. of Social Work and Development to ascertain who is qualified for the project.