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PNoy Visits CdeO and Iligan Housing
President benign S. Aquino III visited Cagayan de Oro and Iligan last week, on the birth anniversary of his mother the late President Corazon C. Aquino. Thee President paid tribute to the values espoused by his mother by traveling to the two cities and to join the various agencies involved in the shelter projects and to conduct inspections in areas that were devastated by Typhoon Sendong.
In his speech delivered in both areas, the President said that he is committed to a rehabilitation process that will help the victims get back on their feet at the soonest possible time, while also ensuring that the assistance provided to local government units will reach those who need it the most. He also emphasized that communities should be rebuilt in areas out of harm’s way.
Through the joint initiatives of the DSWD, the local government units, the National Housing Authority, and volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Gawad Kalinga, the Aquino administration is showing its commitment not just to restoring communities stricken by disaster, or to the people who lost their livelihoods, but also to the very principle that no one should be left behind.
Here in Cagayan de Oro, the president led the inauguration of the Calaanan Relocation site, this city, which is a joint project of the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHA), city government of Cagayan de Oro (CDO), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP).
He presented the first four (4) families who will benefit from the housing project. A model quadruplex (four housing units) was constructed at the site.
With the president was President Jejomar Binay, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, Public Works and Highways Secretrary Rogelio Singson, National Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr., Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection J.R. Nereus O. Acosta and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Chito M. Cruz, Mayor Vicente Y. Emano and HFHP CEO and Managing Director Charlie Ayco.
The 12.4-hectare site targets to house 1,400 to 1,600 families left homeless by typhoon Sendong and are now staying in evacuation centers.
The government, through its national and local agencies, and HFHP are fast-tracking the construction of these houses and in developing a community that is suitable for residents.
The president reiterated the commitment of the government to provide homes to those affected by Sendong. He said the shelter build is one of the concrete steps undertaken by the government to help those displaced by Sendong to get back on their feet and live in normalcy the soonest possible time.
He said the government has provided more than Php200-million for the construction of shelters at Calaanan recognizing the victims’ need for decent homes.
He further said that the government is also focusing on the repair and rehabilitation of the infrastructures devastated by the recent tropical storm.
The President likewise expressed appreciation to all those who joined hands and immediately responded to the needs of the victims citing the national line agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector.
Similarly, he saluted all the volunteers who continuously provided support to the government in the rehabilitation process.
In his speech, he assured the beneficiaries that his visit in the city, today, will not be the end of it.
“Asahan po ninyo hindi ito ang pagtatapos kung hindi umpisa lamang sa pagsasaayos ng mga buhay ninyo,” the president said.
Aquino noted that the government’s action will not surely run slow on this.
President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Vice President Jejomar Binay and DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, joins the volunteers in building housing units during the Shelter Build activity at the Calaanan, Barangay Canito-an in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday (January 25). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Habitat for Humanity, and the local government of Cagayan de Oro City have signed a tripartite agreement for the construction of shelter units in Calaanan, Cagayan de Oro City for Sendong victims. Following the signing of the agreement, Habitat for Humanity will construct quadruplex houses in the area. There will be four families per structure. It can be recalled that a 9.4 hectare lot in Calaanan was identified as a permanent resettlement site for families displaced by Typhoon Sendong. (Photo by: Jay Morales/ Malacañang Photo Bureau/ Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO).
“I will not stand before you today to make promises but rather to start this permanent shelter project for families severely affected and displaced by the typhoon,” he said.
The president announced that he already released more than Php200 million through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) quick response fund for the construction of these shelters in the 12.4 hectares property of the city government in the area.
The amount is now transferred by the DSWD to Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) for the construction of the quadruplex designed houses, with a total of 21 square meter area for the structure in a 40 square meter lot area per family.
President Aquino further assured families that their basic needs like food will continue to be provided in order to ensure that communities will maintain to pick their pace and normalize.
Meanwhile, the President also called on the people to heed government’s warning during emergencies and likewise reminded local leaders to impose and observe safety recommendations on their area to prevent the same tragedy from happening again.
In another development, the number 40 holds various significant meanings for various spiritual and cultural traditions. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights,Buddha reached enlightenment after meditating for 40 days under the Bodhi Tree, Prophet Muhammad received his first revelations at the age of 40, and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the Great
Flood.
On that day that the president came back to the city, January 25, it was exactly 40 days after Sendong struck and signs of a new beginning for the survivors are taking solid shape in Barangay Lumbia.
Students form a big “HEAL CDO” made of lighted candles on top of Kagay-an Bridge in Cagayan de Oro Wednesday night, Jan. 25, 2012, to mark 40-days after storm Sendong devastated the city and nearby Iligan. Thousands of residents came to pray and light candles during the ecumenical Mass for people who died in Cagayan de Oro Wednesday night. Photo by Froilan Gallardo
Xavier University had the site blessed, a brand new neighborhood for families who have been displaced by the typhoon that destroyed wide swaths of the city. It is called Xavier Ecoville.
Five hundred families – about 2,500 people – will take up residence at Xavier Ecoville, a joint relocation and resettlement project of Xavier University and the local government of Cagayan de Oro.
The relocatees were chosen from a comprehensive list supplied by the City Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the affected barangays and the Archdiocese.
Priority has been given to families whose houses had been completely washed out and those from barangays that have been declared as no-build zones, these areas are considered as dangerously flood-prone to ever allow resettlement.
“Our mandate is to ensure a smooth and organized community transfer,” says Estrella Borja, community organizing and community development head, who went on to explain that the process involves three phases: selection, which covers profiling and orientation of the beneficiaries, and matching of houses to the beneficiaries; transfer to the temporary shelter; and lastly, transfer to the permanent shelter.
The long-term goal is to “facilitate the organization and development of an eco-friendly and sustainable village with the community participating in the process,” adds Borja.
Formation and community development programs will start as soon as the families have settled in.
The first batch of 40 families has already moved in to Phase One of Xavier Ecoville, the temporary shelter provided with help from the Philippine Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, the Philippine Army and DSWD.
The temporary shelter has water from Rio Verde and electrical supply from the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO), restrooms including sustainable sanitation toilets, and washrooms provided by the Human Resettlement Consortium, a waste disposal system, laundry area, kitchen and a community center.
Phase 2 will be the site for the permanent houses.
A mobile school will also be provided in partnership with the Department of Education to ensure that the children can go back to school immediately even if there might not be enough classrooms yet to accommodate the new students.
Xavier University and DepEd Region 10 will plan the curriculum for emergency education using the mobile school, a bus provided by UNTV equipped with audio-visual components and a public address system, among other learning tools. Knowledge materials will come from the Knowledge Channel.
With the expected arrival of 500 families who will be building their futures at Xavier Ecoville in Lumbia, Xavier University is consequently engaged in community development to help the relocatees establish authentic relationships with their new neighbors.
The master plan of the new settlement involves support for“green” technology through provision of waste water treatment facility and promotion of solid waste management, livelihood, education, community organizing and governance.
“The project is not just about building houses,” says Fr Eric Velandria SJ, head of the partnership management committee. “The project is building a community of responsible citizens who will care for one another, for our city and for the environment.”
The president also visited Xavier Ecoville before flying back to Manila. (With reports from Apipa Bagumbaran and Jorie C. Valcorza of PIA 10)
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