Habitat builds homes for CDO, Navotas folk

Manila, Philippines -  Thousands of young volunteers braved the scorching heat of the summer sun to help build houses for families affected by typhoons in Cagayan de Oro City and Navotas City yesterday.

The volunteers from different schools and organizations joined Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Habitat Youth Council in the construction of 100 homes at the permanent relocation site for ty[hoon victims at Indahag village in Cagagan de Oro.

Former beauty queen and TV personality Miriam Quiambao flew in from Manila to join the volunteers.

Habitat Youth Council founder Alexandra Eduque and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco led some 1,800 volunteers in building homes for 2,000 families in Barangay Tanza left homeless by typhoon “Pedring” last year.

Tiangco, for his part, said it was a privilege for Navotas to be chosen as one of two sites in the country for Youth Build 2012.

The group has raised some P40 million for 400 homes in Calauan, Laguna and Navotas since the council was organized in 2010.

Incoming council president Kevin Yang said, “Thousands of lives were rebuilt with the outpouring of support and involvement of volunteers.”

Youth Build 2012 aims to involve the youth in helping victims of typhoon “Sendong” get back on their feet, according to Jan-Hannah Awitin, Habitat for Humanity’s marketing coordinator in Cagayan de Oro.

Some of Habitat for Humanity’s youth volunteers pose during a break in the Youth Build 2012 in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday. JIGGER JERUSALEM

The Youth Build is an activity under the youth programs of Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ “I Build” campaign chaired by Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“Our youth are so aggressive to do their share in rebuilding Cagayan de Oro,” Awitin said.

Awitin said Habitat intends to build more houses in Indahag on the next two Saturdays.

Aside from the youth volunteers, Awitin said skilled workers and construction experts were also present to ensure that the houses were built according to industry standards.

Although she declined to divulge the amount raised for the project, Awitin said the funds came from various donors all over the world.

The 100 residential units will form part of the 6,000 houses that Habitat has pledged to build for the families displaced by Sendong in Cagayan de Oro.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines is a non-profit organization that serves families and helps transform lives by building responsible and self-reliant communities.

This year, Habitat Philippines is part of the Asia-Pacific-wide Youth Endeavor which targets to gather 5,000 volunteers from China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.