The DSWD core shelters in Boston town after ‘Pablo’.
While all else were toppled down by typhoon ‘Pablo’ when it hit Boston, Davao Oriental, the 27 core shelter units of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) built in Barangay Carmen were the only structures left standing with only minor damages on the roofs of ten units.
Through the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP), core shelters were built that provides victims of disasters with structurally-strong and environment-friendly shelter units that can withstand wind velocities up to 180 kph, intensity four earthquakes, flooding and other similar hazards.
Costing P70,000 each, the DSWD core shelter units were constructed in Boston’s one-hectare relocation site, a mere 10-minute ride from the poblacion. The 27 family-beneficiaries of the core shelter units were former victims of flash floods whose old houses were situated near the riverbank.
“Typhoon ‘Pablo’ tested and confirmed the strength and quality of our core shelter units,” DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said.
Boston Municipal Information Officer Judith Castres, on the other hand, affirmed this saying, “In the aftermath of typhoon ‘Pablo,’ we noted that the surrounding structures and coconut trees were all destroyed, yet the core shelters in Barangay Carmen remained intact, except for the roofs of 10 units which were blown away due to the strong winds.”
“We were amazed with the sturdiness of the DSWD core shelter units. Wala dyud natandog ang mga balay. Natanggal lang ang mga atop sa uban pero ang tanan balay nagpabilin nga mibarog luyo sa pagkuso-kuso ni Pablo, (The houses remained intact. The GI sheets of some were ripped off but all houses stood solid despite the ferocity of ‘Pablo’), Castres added.
Aside from providing core shelter units, CSAP is also a community development initiative where the beneficiaries take part in the construction of their own core houses. Likewise, they are organized into Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA) and undergo Values Formation Orientation. Through this, they learn to recognize their problems and cope with their situation while working towards viable solutions.
The program also fosters ‘bayanihan’ spirit wherein all family-beneficiaries are united in actively working for the benefit of everyone in their community. Whenever they have problems in the family and community, they talk it out and consult the NASA officers to help settle issues.
The core shelters built by DSWD in October 2012, two months before typhoon ‘Pablo’ struck Davao Oriental, proved to be real sanctuaries in times of disasters and natural calamities in which the beneficiaries are grateful. ###
