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Three women, all housewives who all survived the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol on October 15, 2013.

Anita Enriquez (center) poses together with DSWD-7 Assistant Regional for Administration Grace Q. Subong (second from left) and other officials from DSWD-7, Habitat for Humanity and Municipal Government of Buenavista during the MCSAP turn-over ceremony.

Imagine them living with their families in makeshift shacks because there is nothing left after the occurrence of that deadly quake. Before the earthquake hit Bohol, they have their own house and living a normal life in their respective communities.

Despite the situation they were in, Anita, Gina, and Natividad were hopeful that one day they would be able to rise above the rubbles and live a normal and better life for their families.

The Modified Core Shelter Program (MCSAP) gave hope to the three women’s wishes.  It is a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which provides environment-friendly, structurally strong shelter units built onsite that can withstand up to 220-kph wind velocity, at least intensity four earthquakes and other natural disasters.

“Malipayon kaayo ko nga nahataga na kanamo kining balay. Naa na gyud mi kapuy-an. Wala baya gyud mi laing kakuhaan para makabarog mi og balay.  Lisod kayo kay pangisda ra among pangita (I am happy that the house is already given to us. We have our own place now to live in. We do not have other sources to build a house because we are merely relying on fishing),” shared Anita Enriquez, a recipient of the MCSAP in Buenavista, Bohol.

“Nalipay gyud ko kay nakapuyo na gyud mi nga kumpleto na gyud ang balay, dili pareha sauna nga nagtabon-tabon lang mi, nag barong-barong lang mi nga kanang makita pa gyud among atop. Ampingan gyud ko ni. Dili nako ni ibaligya, para ra gyud ni sa akong pamilya (I am really happy that we are living in a fully-equipped home now. Unlike before, we were only sheltered under a makeshift shack. I will take care and will not sell this house. This is only for my family),” Gina Canino, one of the recipients of the core shelter in Sagbayan, Bohol, expressed.

Mrs. Natividad Caguisa poses together with the representatives from DSWD, Habitat and local government unit in front of her house, which is one of the modified core shelter units turned over in Loon, Bohol.

Mrs. Natividad Caguisa of Loon, Bohol lives with her paralytic husband is overjoyed in owning the house. She said, “Mapasalamaton kayo kami nga na-turnover na gayud kini sa amoa kining balay, hamugaway na among pagpuyo (We are happy that the house is now given to us, it is comfortable for us to live here).”

The beneficiaries of the core shelter project are also proud because they had their share in the construction of the houses.

Gina Canino watches as officials from DSWD-7, Habitat for Humanity and Municipal Government of Sagbayan toss the ribbon during the MCSAP blessing and turn-over ceremony.

Like the other beneficiaries, Anita, Gina and Natividad, also provided bamboo slots or “lipak” for alternative walling, prepared the lot, helped in the excavation for zocalo and septic tank, hauling of materials, labor-sweat equity and the installation of connection for electricity and water supply.

Three women survived and persevered the impact of the disaster. Wished to have a better life. Helped rebuild their own houses together with DSWD, Habitat for Humanity, Provincial and Municipal government units.

Now, their families have occupied the new shelters where they feel safe and comfortable. ###

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