Mandaue, Asian urban poor group sign MOA

CEBU, Philippines - An Asian urban poor group has forged a memorandum of agreement with the Mandaue City government for a joint undertaking of a socialized housing project in barangay Subangdaku.

The visiting group is comprised of 15 members who come from Thailand, Laos, and Sri Lanka.

The other day they witnessed signing of a memorandum of agreement by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and a people’s organization in barangay Subangdaku for a joint undertaking of a socialized housing project in the area.

Other signatories included Doleta Magdadaro of Malibu-Matimco Village Homeowners Association, Inc., Fr. Norberto Carcellar, C.M. of Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. (PACSI),  Leopoldo Chavez, of Homeless People’s Federation (HPFPI), Philippines, Inc. and Subangdaku Barangay Captain Ernie Manatad.

Under the agreement, the city government and other signatories will utilize their resources in upgrading and safeguarding the on-going socialized housing project within the 1.5-hectare Malibu-Matimco area, part of the 9.2 hectare city-owned lot which the city donated to the actual beneficiaries.

The 9.2 area is a prime lot covering barangays Subangdaku, Tipolo, Guizo, and Mantuyong.

Through the assistance of PACSI and HPFPI, 25 houses were constructed in Malibu-Matimco area.

Each of the two-story houses has an area of 32 square meters at the cost of P90,000.

The Asian delegation arrived in Mandaue for a three-day visit to various socialized housing areas which include the Lower Tipolo area wherein more than 200 houses were already constructed and occupied by beneficiaries. - THE FREEMAN