Cory joins Habitat housing project

Former president Corazon Aquino has turned over homes to Habitat for Humanity beneficiaries in Pinugay, Rizal, concluding the weeklong activities in the Philippines of World Leaders Build, an event organized by Habitat for Humanity International from Aug. 5 to 11 to call global attention to the need to provide decent housing for all. More than 200 houses were built in various sites all over the country.

"I have always believed in the dignity of every human being and Habitat’s experience in over 70 countries has shown that a home is often the first step out of the poverty cycle," said Aquino.

Aquino launched the worldwide event by helping construct homes together with former US president Jimmy Carter and South Korean president and Nobel Peace Prize Laureat Kim Dae Jung in Asan, South Korea on Aug. 5. They were joined by 9,000 volunteers from Korea and other nations in building 130 homes in Asan and five other sites.

According to Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, World Leaders Build was a significant first step in addressing the problem of poverty housing in Korea, where more than three million households do not even have toilets. Rapid economic developments in the country have also created a burgeoning problem in urban housing with as many as 10 people living per apartment. "The houses built at this year’s event are now homes to families who are truly in need," said Fuller, who was also in Korea to take part in the build.

In the Philippines, inadequate economic opportunities in the countryside leading to massive immigration towards urban centers has often been cited as the major cause of poverty housing. Moreover, insufficient socialized housing programs and the lack of urban planning have compounded the problem leaving millions homeless.

"Destitute living conditions have long-term and far-reaching consequences on entire communities," said Atty. Jose Ma. Mendoza, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Philippines. "Habitat’s experience has shown that a home provides beneficiaries a dramatic opportunity to start over again."

Last Monday, World Leaders Build was launched in the Philippines in Pinugay, Rizal by President Arroyo. She Arroyo has earlier earmarked P12 million from the Presidential Social Fund in support of the event. The amount was used by the private sector as a benchmark in raising more than P19 million for the construction of Habitat houses.

Thousands of volunteers worked during the World Leaders Build week, contributing a total of 13,000 man-days in what was considered the largest gathering of government, business and civic leaders this year. "It was a personally enriching experience for the volunteers, seeing how directly getting a home can affect the lives of those in need," said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chairman of the World Leaders Build National Steering Committee which led the Philippines’ involvement in the worldwide project.

World Leaders Build involved world leaders in building Habitat houses in their respective countries to raise public awareness for the need to eradicate poverty housing. A total of 1,175 houses were built in participating countries, among them Canada, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and India.