In Daanbantayan, new Yolanda village breaks ground

CEBU, Philippines - The third resettlement site for Yolanda survivors in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu broke ground yesterday.

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.

The Unity Village is a project under CEMEX’s Build Unity rehabilitation program for the communities in Northern Cebu ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.

CEMEX Philippines Foundation through the global donations from CEMEX business units worldwide will build 44 disaster-resilient houses for the 44 families that lost their homes to the typhoon.

The company earlier broke ground in Bogo City also for 44 families.

Chito Mañago, CEMEX Corporate Communication and Public Affairs director, said having a total of 88 houses to be built symbolizes infinity.

“It is our firm commitment to help Northern Cebu,” he said.

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said they acquired more than two hectares of lot in Barangay Pajo that will accommodate around 250 houses.

Corro said they are still very short of the number of houses needed for 4,000 families to be relocated from the danger zone but “it’s better to have few than nothing at all,” he said.

Corro said the rest of the lot they have acquired will be used by other donors.

GK Cebu chapter head Toby Florendo appealed to the beneficiaries to share their vision and goal in caring for the entire community.

Palomino said they have interest in Cebu because they have cement plant in Naga City and the incident, albeit tragic, is an opportunity for the company to be part of the community.

One of the beneficiaries, Renalyn Morales, said they understand why they needed to be relocated, considering that they used to live along the coast. 

Florendo said part of community organizing is identifying what livelihood alternative can be provided to the new village.

The local government units will undertake site development, the GK community will construct the houses, and CEMEX will provide the housing materials.

Florendo said they can finish 115 houses in eight months.

Last January, the French community was the first to break ground on the Habitat French Daanbantayan Village for the 75 housing units in Barangay Agujo. The village is a joint project of France Philippines United Action, the Province of Cebu, the local government of Daanbantayan and Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Last May, the FPUA in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross also broke ground the second village for the 140 housing units in Barangay Paypay. — (FREEMAN)