Irosin town to receive P63.4 M resettlement project to relocate victims of calamity

by Irma A. Guhit SORSOGON CITY, OCTOBER 24 (PIA).... A P63.4 M resettlement project for the municipality of Irosin has been earmarked under the national calamity program in cooperation with the Community Association Initiative Program of the National Housing Authority (CAIPNHA) to relocate 788 families to safe area identified by the local government of Irosin. It can be recalled that the municipality of Irosin has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas in the province of Sorsogon. Due to the continuous volcanic explosion of Mt. Bulusan, the volcanic debris gathered within the slopes of the volcano may erode and fall on several communities in Irosin now identified as the recipient of this project. This assessment was made by the Irosin Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDDRRMC) and has been forwarded to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council forming the report of the province on current situation of highly vulnerable areas here. This assessment was forwarded to the National Disaster Risk Reduction for national intervention. According to the report of the PDRRMC head secretariat Jose Lopez, the resettlement project is the government's intervention to finally provide these families a permanent relocation site. Most of these families  were also affected by the past super typhoons Milenyo and Reming and are continuously being exposed to danger if not to be permanently relocated. The volcanic debris stocked within the slopes of Mt. Bulusan continue to pose as a very great danger to these communities that might be directly affected if these will be eroded specially if induced by strong rains and winds due to bad weather conditions. Mayor Eduardo E. Ong, Jr. of Irosin said that the provincial government has been very keen on looking for partner agencies who can provide these most vulnerable areas identified in the province realize the program for permanent relocation as the immediate response of government to these communities to live in safe areas, lessen government spending on constant evacuation every time there are typhoons and volcanic explosion and these communities always living in fear. The calamity fund provided is to be implemented by the Community Association Initiative Program National Housing  Authority  to  the 788 families in Irosin with a 60 sq. m lot with houses in the 10 ha area in Barangay Salvacion , 4 km away from the town center located in an elevated area . The drawing of lots to these families were conducted last Oct.19-21 to identify where their houses will be built. It will also provide certain amenities like playground to the children. According to Vhon Andre Labalan, information officer of PDRRMC, a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by the NHA, TRM Construction and Development Corporation and the Irosin Homeowners Association to finalize the project. Meanwhile 2nd District Representative, Deogracias B. Ramos, Mayor Ong of Irosin and the Provincial Government headed by Governor Raul R. Lee have harmonized all efforts in the realization of the project specially in the desire of the national government to develop resilient communities.(PIA-SORSOGON)