In the wake of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) 7 and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began installing prefabricated “smart houses” to shelter displaced families.
So far, around 70 units of these temporary homes have been set up across municipalities in northern Cebu, including San Remigio and Daanbantayan, with plans for a total of 80 units in San Remigio and 80 more in Daanbantayan.
Each house is designed for quick deployment and basic comfort: they’re built from prefabricated panels, have electric connections, and include household essentials like beds and fans.
Authorities say these smart-houses are interim shelters while longer-term rebuilding and relocation plans are worked out. The quake also triggered large sinkholes and land-instability issues in the region, complicating permanent settlement efforts.