City, school partner for multi-purpose hall for housing site

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines   - The city government of Dumaguete and Foundation University on Monday broke ground for a joint project in the construction of a multi-purpose building at a low-cost housing area in the outskirts village of Bajumpandan earlier turned over to typhoon victims.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, City Administrator William Ablong, Foundation University Vice President for Finance Dean Victor Vicente Sinco, City Social Welfare OIC Carola Alquero and Bajumpandan chairman Rolando Enquig were the honored guests during the simple groundbreaking rites at Core Shelter Housing site.

The project involves the design, construction and funding of the multi-purpose building by the Foundation University through its Department of Architecture, amounting to P320,000 while the city's counterpart is the lot which measures 123 square meters, said City Administrator Ablong.

Ablong said the FU architecture students have designed the multi-purpose building to be constructed with the use of bamboos.

The Core Shelter Housing site is now home to at least 60 families who were earlier displaced by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, said Ablong. The housing project is a joint undertaking between the city government and the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The multi-purpose building is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Ablong said.  (FREEMAN)