CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After more than a decade of waiting, survivors of Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) who were relocated to Habitat for Humanity Phase 3 in Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan, are now a step closer to owning the land they have long occupied.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy signed the Deeds of Absolute Sale in his office, together with City Councilor Al Legaspi Sr., chairman of the committee on urban poor; John Asuncion, acting department manager of the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD); and several beneficiaries.
According to CHUDD, 1,500 land titles have been prepared for 1,500 households, although these remain under the name of the city government. The transfer to individual names will be processed once beneficiaries complete their land payment of ₱6,400 each.
So far, only 20 households have fully paid, making them the first batch to undergo processing through the Deeds of Absolute Sale signed by Mayor Uy.
The mayor reminded the beneficiaries that once the titles are transferred to their names, they are not allowed to sell the properties since the land is intended as permanent settlement for Sendong survivors.
“Sa una nagreklamo pa mo kay layo pero nalipay na mo karon. Timan-i ninyo nga ang programa sa gobyerno dili makadaot,” Uy told the beneficiaries, assuring them that government programs are designed to secure their welfare.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Mayor Uy for continuing to prioritize relocation sites and ensuring that Sendong survivors are not neglected in their pursuit of permanent land ownership.
Typhoon Sendong, which struck Northern Mindanao in December 2011, left an indelible mark on the city’s history. The disaster triggered massive flash floods that claimed more than 1,200 lives in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, displaced thousands of families, and destroyed entire riverside communities. Calaanan became one of the largest relocation sites established for survivors, many of whom have endured years of uncertainty regarding their tenure.
With the signing of the Deeds of Absolute Sale, survivors now see hope that their long years of waiting will finally pay off as they begin to secure the titles to their land—a step toward rebuilding their lives with stability and dignity.