San remigio: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has initiated the turnover of modular shelter units (MSUs) to the local government of San Remigio, Cebu.

According to Philippines News Agency, this event marks the completion of the first ‘Bayanihan Village’ aimed at families displaced by the recent earthquake in the province.

The MSUs, located in Barangay Poblacion, will serve as temporary homes for residents affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30. The Bayanihan Village, completed in just seven days, was developed through a collaborative effort involving multiple government agencies led by the DHSUD and supported by the private sector.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling highlighted the directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide safer shelters for affected Filipinos. He praised the inter-agency cooperation that facilitated the rapid construction of the village, emphasizing it as an example of the Marcos administration’s approach to disaster response.

The turnover agreement designates the San Remigio local government unit to manage beneficiary identification and village maintenance. Each cluster of modular shelters includes shared amenities like comfort rooms, lavatories, electricity, lighting, and proper ventilation to ensure the well-being of families.

The DHSUD partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways for site development and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for facility management once occupied. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Office of Civil Defense contributed to the transport and installation of the units.

Additionally, two private companies provided manpower and logistical support to expedite construction. Similar Bayanihan Villages are being established in Daanbantayan, another affected municipality in Cebu, and in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, which experienced a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on October 10.