Houses turned over to Yolanda victims

CEBU, Philippines - Six months after the groundbreaking, the ceremonial turnover of the first 16 housing units to Yolanda victims was held yesterday in Daanbantayan, Cebu.

The site in Barangay Pajo is named "Unity Village," a project undertaken jointly by CEMEX Philippines, the municipality of Daanbantayan, Gawad Kalinga, CEMEX Philippines Foundation, and the beneficiaries.

Unity Village is a project under CEMEX's Build Unity rehabilitation program for the communities in northern Cebu that were ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.

The project intends to build 44 units in a two-hectare lot provided by the local government unit of Daanbantayan.

Mayor Augusto Corro said the entire resettlement site could accommodate 178 units.

Corro and Miralyn Basallo, one of the beneficiaries, thank the donors for fulfilling their dreams to have their houses back after the typhoon washed them away.

GK's Toby Florendo said they can now heave a sigh of relief after seeing the first row of 16 units as he challenged the beneficiaries to take care of the houses and to be part of the community.

CEMEX also donated hematology analyzer and chemical blood analyzer to the LGU.

CEMEX Philippines is the manufacturer of the only eco-labeled cement brands in the country, including Island Portland Cement, Palitada King, Rizal Portland Super, Rizal Masonry Cement, APO Portland Premium, APO Portland Cement, APO Masonry Cement and APO Pozzolan.

In another development, CEMEX Skills and Livelihood Center in San Remigio town has produced another batch of 30 certified masons who are survivors of typhoon Yolanda.

The commencement exercises were done yesterday in time for the blessing and inauguration of the training center.

CEMEX Foundation put up a skills and livelihood community center in San Remigio dubbed as Experto Ako! program on masonry training.

Foundation executive director Chito Maniago challenged the masons to impart the skills they have entrusted to help others.

The training started on October 27 up to November 22 last year duly supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. There were 29 trainees during the first batch.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said the project would greatly help improve the living condition of his constituents considering they have 45 percent poverty rate.

"This is the answer to our needs," Martinez said as he vowed to sustain the program.

Aside from the livelihood training, CEMEX Foundation will also provide underwater sculptures to San Remigio as a way to conserve the sea's bounty.

These sculptures will become the new breathing reefs of marine lives, thereby achieving ecological balance. Moreover, driftwood sculptures will be placed on the shoreline to showcase culturally-relevant figures that can help promote eco-tourism in the area. — (FREEMAN)