Cortes turns over two model houses

CEBU, Philippines - The relocation project of Mandaue City government for 1,200 families living in danger zones has now taken off with the completion of two model houses within the 6.5 hectare-relocation area in barangay Paknaan.

“Sangko sa langit ang akong kalipay kay natuman na gyud ang among pangandoy nga maka-angkon og disinting balay (We are extremely happy that at last our dream of owning a decent house is fulfilled,” said Virginia Marfel, a member of Bantayan sa Hari Homoeowners’ Association.

Danilo Maranga, owner of the second model house shared the same sentiments.

Mayor Jonas Cortes made the turnover of the symbolic key to both owners during the culmination program of Urban Poor Solidarity Week held at Sports Complex attended by hundreds of urban poor groups.

According to Marfel she now shares the feeling of being an “urban rich’ as she thanked the city officials and non-government organizations for the realization of their dreams.

Witnessing the turnover were Engr. Noel Zeta of Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives, Inc.(PACSI) and Leopoldo Chavez, president of Homeless Federation of the Philippines which facilitated that beneficiary-organizations complied with their voluntary savings as collateral for their housing loan with PACSI.

The beneficiaries purchase the lot from Dennis Lua at P2,000 per square meter through Community Mortgage Program (CMP) a soft loan program of Socialized Home Mortgage Finance Corporation wherein it will pay the owner and in return the beneficiary-organizations will amortize it monthly for a maximum period of 25 years.

Cortes during his speech swore in to the urban groups present that as long as he is in office he will do what he can to answer the needs of urban poor having also promised this to his late mother, an ordinary vendor. - THE FREEMAN