MANILA, Philippines —  All housing projects for Super Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Eastern Samar are set for completion this year, according to the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar made the announcement during the ceremonial turnover of completed housing units in Burauen, Leyte. 

The move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to finalize all Yolanda housing initiatives in Region 8 “as soon as possible.”

“Utos ng Pangulo: Tapusin ng NHA ang lahat ng Yolanda-housing projects dito sa Region 8 at sigurado lahat ngayong taon ay tatapusin ang problema sa Yolanda housing,” Acuzar said.

Despite the project being long overdue, Acuzar said that providing decent housing could still contribute to building more stable and resilient communities for typhoon survivors.

“Naniniwala kami na ang okasyong ito ay magsisilbing panibagong pag-asa at inspirasyon para lalong magpursige sa buhay. Sa pamamagitan ng ligtas at disenteng bahay, matatag at maunlad komunidad,” he said.

Marcos was also present during the turnover.

The government has turned over  a total of 3,517 housing units in Yolanda-hit areas across Leyte, Samar, and Biliran. 

This brings the total number of units handed over to beneficiaries to 1,963.

Acuzar said that more than 58,000 units, or 88 out of 118 Yolanda housing projects, have been completed in Region VIII. Of these, over 53,000 are fully finished, with 45,000 already occupied.

Among the newly available housing sites are Cool Spring Residences, Mont Eagle Ville Subdivision, and Coconut Grove Village in Leyte; Marabut Ville Sites 1 and 2 in Samar; and the Culaba Housing Project in Biliran.

Super Typhoon Yolanda, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, devastated the Visayas region in November 2013, leaving 6,300 dead and displacing and affecting millions of Filipinos in 20 provinces.