ZAMBOANGA CITY- More than a hundred IDP recipients enjoyed their new permanent shelters as Z3R Houses on stilts project in Taluksangay have been completed and formally turned over during a formal ceremony held on February 26, 2015.

The 40 million worth housing project under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) is located in a 3.5 hectare water area in Taluksangay where 200 units have been built for Internally Displaced Persons who were tagged by the National Housing Authority (NHA) from Layag Layag and Leha Leha.

In an interview, Alawi Jamma Asid, 41 expressed his gratitude to all the agencies especially to the DSWD for the urgent help and assistance extended to them. “Walang makakapantay sa saya namin, sa tagal naming pag aantay tungkol sa sinabi nila na meron talaga kameng totong bahay” He said.

Asid who was also the camp manager of the Taluksangay Transitory Site, was one among the 115 families who will benefit a permanent stay in the new shelters provided to them.

“Masaya kame doon sa Layag Layag, pero ngayon mas masaya kame, Di namin mabubura na mahirap lang kame pero di ko akalain na magkakabahay ako ng ganito. Doon sa Layag Layag  15 years ako, kung makikita mo luma ang bahay pero  pag dito ansaya ko talaga, tinanong ko sa sarili ko swerte ko na yata, ako isang mahirap lang ay magkakabahay ng ganito.” He added.

The families were also provided with Family food packs and Non-Food Items to start a new life in the newly constructed units.They will be also provided with financial aid worth 10,000 pesos from National Housing Authority which will be downloaded to the DSWD for their electricity and water installation.

Present during the event were, Zamboanga City Mayor, Ma.Isabelle Climaco, DSWD Assistant Secretary, Vilma Cabrera, Congresswoman Lilia Macrohon Nuno, Punong Barangay Hadji Abdurahman Nuno, NHA District Officer Al Indanan, IOM and some city councilors.

The activity capped off with an unveiling of the Project Marker on the site with a ceremonial visit on the residents. ##