Over 200,000 typhoon victims to get free houses from Duterte

More than 200,000 victims of Typhoons Yolanda and Pablo will get free houses from President Rodrigo Duterte, the President himself announced yesterday.

“Your housing, after a few years, you have to pay 1200,000 both the (typhoons) Yolanda and Pablo. For as long as I am the president, it will be free,” Duterte said during the National Housing Summit in Quezon City.

The President, upon his announcement, got loud cheers and clapping from the beneficiaries of the housing project.

While Duterte did not elaborate his announcement, NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. told the media that NHA board has recently approved a recommendation to the President to give free the government housing for the two typhoons’ victims.

Escalada said a total of 205,000 victims will benefits from the house and lot package, which costs almost 1290,000 each. He added that 150 billion has been allotted for the housing grants.

In November last year, during his visit in Tacloban City, Duterte said he is not satisfied with the housing projects for Yolanda victims.

Typhoon Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the land, devastated the Visayas areas, leaving over 6,300 people dead and 189.5 billion worth of damage property.

Typhoon Pablo, on the other hand, ravaged Mindanao areas, particularly in Campostela Valley. (PNA)