Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano “Dinky” Soliman Thursday (January 12) announced intensified government efforts towards providing new homes to all the victims of Sendong by the first week of April.

In a statement, Soliman said that aside from informal settlers, those coming from the middle income families who lost everything during Sendong’s onslaught will be receiving assistance as well.

The  Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay has taken the lead in managing housing and relocation needs of all victims of Sendong in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and in the province of Negros Oriental.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano earlier suggested Calaanan as a possible relocation site. Habitat for Humanity is set to build 1,300 houses in the 9.5 hectare-lot.

Soliman also said Xavier University is giving away 5 hectares for transition shelter while the Philippine National Red Cross will build houses in the Lumbia relocation site.

The Department of Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the local government, DSWD and the National Housing Authority, are working on identifying beneficiaries of the housing assistance. Due to the sheer magnitude of the project, DSWD is providing a special desk in all evacuation centers to address everyone.