Xavier Ecoville Holds Community Building

By Xyla Mercedita Gualberto

Xavier Ecoville, the relocation and resettlement project of Xavier University (XU), conducted its first community building with the Xavier Ecoville (XE) residents and the XU resettlement committee. The activity titled “Ila-ila ta Bai” and held at the XE multi-purpose center aimed to establish a sense of community among all residents in XE to foster trust, harmony and development.

“This is not just a program about building houses but also a program for the people,” said camp manager Iris Montellano.

Slightly over a hundred families or close to 500 individuals (out of the target of 500 families) coming from various places in the city that are now considered no-build zones have been relocated to XE. During the community building they were asked to form one big circle. The women were in the inner circle facing the men who were in the outer circle. An action song was introduced and after every round of singing, everyone turned around to shake hands and get-to-know the person in front of them. XU staff and partners joined in the activity. While the parents were busy meeting new faces, the children were also doing the same. They played group games together with some XU staff.

XU aims to develop a thriving and healthy community at XE. Programs on governance, livelihood, shelter, education, health, sanitation and hygiene, environment, and psycho-social development are coupled with values formation programs. Community members will also be involved in the development of XE at every step. With the support and supervision of the XU Resettlement Team, the residents signed up to help in the implementation of the programs and be part of the Kasilingan Team which will compose the future leaders of XE. Mark Lawrence Cruz, Gawad Kalinga coordinator for Ateneo de Manila University, was present during the activity.

Former chairman of the National Youth Commission and one of the founders of MicroVentures Inc, which launched the Hapinoy Sari-Sari Store program, dropped in during the discussion of the Kasilingan Team. He sat with the livelihood group and shared his intention of helping build a community of micro-entrepreneurs in XE.

With the overwhelming support of many organizations and individuals, the XE residents broke into a song to express their joy and gratitude. They sang “Heal the World” and chanted “Xavier Ecoville, Unite! Unite!”