A member of the shelter cluster of the Provincial Government of Bohol’s (PGBh) Barug Bohol Rehabilitation Program (BBRP) provided an update to Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) regarding the latest developments on the plan to help those whose homes got damaged by the onslaught of the typhoon.

Engr. Ronnie Bunado, head of the shelter cluster of PGBh’s BBRP met with SP members and provided a report regarding the rehabilitation plan on Mar. 1, 2022 during the Presiding Officer’s Time of the august body’s regular session.

Bunado said a core group was established with the task of facilitating the rehabilitation efforts for Boholanos whose homes are either partially or totally destroyed.

She added that a website was created where shelter information and list of beneficiaries can be seen by the donors.

Furthermore, the said website allows donors to choose who among the beneficiaries will be provided with their donation.

Moreover, it was learned that the shelter cluster is composed of Gov. Arthur Yap as chairman with co-chairmen Holy Name University president Fr. Ruel Lero and award-winning furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue. Cobonpue is also the chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas.

Bunado said the shelter cluster shall be responsible, among others, for the provision of housing assistance to affected families and individuals, and the relocation of families living in unsafe areas.

The core shelter design was produced free of charge by some architects and designers, Bunado reported to the SP.

Accordingly, the core shelter model design dubbed as, “Isiguro Daan Core Shelter,” has a more rigid structural design and can be pre-fabricated for mass production.

Once built, the shelter can be conveniently relocated and easily expandable to make room for a living space, extra kitchen or dining area or even an extra nook for a sari-sari store, Bunado quipped.

According to Bunado, a lot of non governmental agencies (NGO), international and local groups have expressed their commitment to help Boholanos whose homes were destroyed by the typhoon.

As of Feb. 28, 2022, a total of 35,369 shelter kits coming from different donors were distributed to the various municipalities.

Based on the data provided by Bunado, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has distributed cash subsidies to 11,000 households in 27 municipalities.

The Humanity and Inclusion with Shelter Box has distributed shelter kits to 13,300 households in 8 municipalities. The International Organization for Migration has distributed a thousand shelter kits to 1000 households in 4 municipalities.

The Tzu Chi Foundation has distributed cash assistance and shelter kits to 5,069 families in 6 municipalities.

Likewise, Ecosystem Work for Essential Benefits has distributed shelter kits to 2,000 households in 4 municipalities.

Bohol for Leni also distributed shelter kits to a thousand households in 4 municipalities.

Moreover, the Philippine Red Cross has distributed housing kits to 400 households in Ubay town.

On the other hand, the Rotary Club was able to provide housing kits to 2,000 households.

For his part, Relampagos said that the PGBh, under the leadership of Yap, is doing its best to provide for the needs of those who were most affected by the typhoon.