President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the groundbreaking of the permanent resettlement site in Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City.    The 12.4 hectare lot is the first identified permanent resettlement area site in Cagayan de Oro City for internally displaced families who were affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.   The President was joined by his cabinet sectaries (from left) Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection Neric Acosta,  DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

President Aquino assured residents that all the help would be provided to the victims and that preventive measures and projects are being undertaken by concerned government agencies and LGUs to avoid flashflood and flooding.  The government could not allow people to live in danger zones anymore.

In can be recalled that the DSWD, local government of Cagayan de Oro City and Habitat for Humanity signed a tripartite agreement for the construction of shelter units in Calaanan.  Habitat for Humanity will be responsible for the construction of quadruplex houses in the area.  According to DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, the DSWD has released P203 million for the housing projects in Cagayan de Oro City, while Iligan City has received P242 million. “Internally displaced persons themselves participate in the construction of the housing units through DSWD’s Cash-for-Work Program,” Secretary Soliman said..

Some 1,700 families are expected to occupy the permanent resettlement site in Calaanan. ### 3 February  2012 (DSWD –Social Marketing Service)