Landslide-hit Candanas residents in 

line for emergency housing, NHA says

GARCIA HERNANDEZ, Bohol (PIA)—Residents of Barangay Candanas displaced by ground movement that has destroyed 14 houses are in line for emergency housing assistance, the National Housing Authority (NHA) said.

Engr. Johndiel Gucor of the NHA said the local government of Garcia Hernandez has filed for the assistance.

“The LGU is tasked to secure the land for relocation and access while the NHA can put up the housing units with the necessary community amenities,” Gucor said.

The update came during the Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas and Panagtagbo sa Paglambo sa Pamilyang Pilipino Information and Service Caravan on August 14, where more than 800 residents received services from 20 national government agencies in one venue.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bohol organized the event with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) of Bohol.

AUDIO member agencies set up parallel information and service booths to bring frontline services to the community.

“Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas is an agency mandated town-hall meeting, which allows the government to directly communicate with communities government solutions to community issues, especially in building resilient communities,” PIA-Bohol Government Information Center Coordinator Rey Anthony Chiu said in his opening message.

Chiu said Disaster Communications Program was brought to the venue for residents of Candanas, which is exposed to land movements compounded by climate change.

Residents affected by the landslide met with Engr. Briele Lanzaderas of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), who told them to watch for signs of further movement in areas with indications of unsettled past landslides.

“Ang bisan unsang mamatikdan nga mga liki kinahanglang i-report dayon sa MLGU DRRM (Any cracks that are noticed should be reported immediately to the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office),” Lanzaderas said.

Engr. Glen Madelo of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) also asked residents to stay vigilant and prioritize safety.

Rufa Otom, responder of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s TARSIER117, said barangays that may be affected by the ground movement can undergo training in incident command system, earthquake drills, water safety and rescue, high-angle rescue, search and rescue, and emergency medical services, including basic life support.

Garcia Hernandez falls within the coverage area of ​​Tarsier117-Jagna.

Contacting Tarsier117 during a disaster allows responders to pinpoint the origin of the signal and dispatch an immediate response.

For families preparing to transition out of the 4Ps program, the caravan provided information on government programs, services, and livelihood opportunities that support self-sufficiency.

Services delivered

Among the services provided were Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) PhilID registration; PhilHealth’s YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) membership and member data record (MDR) processing; Social Security System (SSS) membership, data updating, and information on UPLIFT for low-income members; Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax identification number (TIN) registration; free cupcake-making training and cupcakes from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Bohol; advocacy materials, planting seeds, and raffle prizes from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Central Visayas; free haircuts from the 47th Infantry Battalion; and artificial insemination for carabaos, cattle, goats, and pigs, along with dewormers, medicines, and vitamins from the Philippine Carabao Center-Ubay Stock Farm (PCC-USF), in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV)-Bohol.

PIA-Bohol, DENR, NHA, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed information, education and communication materials.

The Garcia Hernandez Municipal Agriculture Office distributed planting seeds.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) provided internet services for the event.

The Education Development Center of the Provincial Government of Bohol distributed school supplies and bags to 150 school children in Barangay Candanas.

The activity was held in collaboration with the local government unit of Garcia Hernandez, Third District Representative Kristine Alexie Tutor, and the Provincial Government of Bohol. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

The Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas and 4Ps Localized Information and Service Caravan held at the Garcia-Hernandez Sports and Training Center on August 14, 2026, was an event that enabled various government agencies to reach out and directly engage with the community to address their concerns and strengthen community resilience. It also highlighted the importance of unity and partnership between government agencies and local organizations in delivering services to the public more effectively. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)