The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), turned over on 18 November 2015 around 79 transitional shelter units for the resident beneficiaries of the Municipality of Basey, Samar. The newly constructed shelters are located in the barangays of Old San Agustin, Can-abay, Baybay, and Basiao where the beneficiaries are residing. The ceremonial turn-over was spearheaded by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Basey, together with Ms. Ma. Christina Marfil of IOM and Basey Mayor Igmedio Junji E. Ponferrada; DSWD VIII Assistant Regional Director Restituto Macuto; and Marlon T. Andrino of NEDA Yolanda Program Monitoring Office.

In his message, ARD Macuto asked the beneficiary families to take good care of their houses. He called upon them to build a strong sense of ownership and plant vegetables and other crops in their surroundings to lessen family expenses. He also advised the random visitation by the MSWDO to make sure that the awarded families are still the ones occupying in the units.

Mayor Ponferrada thanked the DSWD and the IOM for the shelters awarded to their residents. He reiterated what ARD Macuto said to take good care of the houses and consider these transitional shelters as their permanent dwellings.

During the distribution, each recipient family received the certificate that proves their ownership of these units along with hygiene kits.

Marlon T. Andrino, YPMO, NEDA VIII