Australian ambassador turns over dwellings to Leyte families

PALO, Leyte — Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Bill Tweddell led in turning over 1,533 housing units to families here last Tuesday, July 28.

Mayor Remedios Petilla told reporters that the dwelling units will be given to the same number of families by the Australian government as part of the latter’s continuing assistance to communities affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Keys to the units were handed over in a simple ceremony at the Palo Municipal Hall. The ceremony was attended by beneficiaries, Ambassador Tweddell, Mayor Petilla, Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquinena and Catholic Relief Services Emergency Coordinator Joshua Kyller.

The ceremony was followed by a visit to the shelter sites in Barangays Libertad in Palo, and Bagacay in Tacloban City.

Leyte Governor Leopldo Dominico Petilla said, “The people of Leyte are very grateful for the assistance provided by the Australian government, its partners and countless volunteers who helped us at the height of the devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda.”

A news release from the Australian Embassy in Manila said that the P120 million Australian government funding for shelter rehabilitation and construction was implemented by the Catholic Relief Services, Gawad Kalinga, and the Philippine Red Cross in coordination with local government units and the beneficiaries of host communities.

The news release further said that the shelter recovery program is part of Australia’s R2.6 billion immediate humanitarian assistance and recovery support after typhoon Yolanda. The recovery assistance also includes building disaster and climate resilience of 150 coastal barangays through the Resilience and Preparedness towards Inclusive Development (RAPID) program with the Climate Change Commission, construction of up to 500 classrooms through the Basic Education support Transformation (BEST) program with the Department of Education, construction of 117 day care centers through the National Community Driven Development Program with the Department of social Welfare and Development, and provision of livelihood opportunities for 6,000 individuals.