International and local volunteers came together on July 11 at the SCMCI (San Carlos Milling Co. Inc.) Site, Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, to help build disaster-resilient houses using the Cement Bamboo Frame (CBF) technology under the Negros Occidental Impact 2025 (NOI25) Project.
San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, Habitat for Humanity International Executive Officer Jonathan Reckford, Area Vice President Luis Noda, and Vice President on Strategy and Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Ma. Remedios Mapa-Suplido led the program.
Suplido said the event is aimed at contributing to building a housing ecosystem which is disaster-resilient and different from the usual housing projects with a People Private Public Partnership (P4) Approach.
She said she hoped to build more houses in Negros Occidental to respond to the greater need and make sure that in a few years, not only cement bamboo houses will be built but also a housing ecosystem.
Gustilo thanked the LGU’s partner, Habitat for Humanity, for making the housing project for the workers of the long-time defunct sugar milling company possible, giving the beneficiaries the option to own houses without financial burden.
Gustilo added if the partnership between the LGU and the Habitat continues, the issues on housing backlogs in the city may be resolved and target of zero homeless in the local community may also be achieved.
He said he is also hopeful to work with said organization for the city’s construction of a tenement-style residential area for the homeless.
“As humans, we hope to be home-builders. Government leaders like us want to be those home-builders for our people and as we look beyond welfare-consideration for them, we want to make them homemakers where every home abides peace and love for every family and that is happening now,” Gustilo stressed.
Reckford, on the other hand, shared that a safe, stable foundation of a good home is in many ways a building block for all the other things in life, especially in building a community.
He also said the beautiful aspect of being part of Habitat is the volunteer work.
“With due respect with skills of the people assembled here, we’re not really here because we are amazing construction workers, we are here because we want to experience community, and after the pandemic it is so special to be able to come together and remember those shared values and common things that hold us together,” Reckford added.
Mayi Rodriguez-Platero, Ayala Land Senior Division Manager, said the ultimate objective of any private developer is to be able to support the government in addressing the housing backlogs in the Philippines and with the help of organizations like Habitat for Humanity, they were able to realize their vision that is to enrich the land and enhance lives for more Filipinos.
On the other hand, Luis Noda cited that with the project being constructed, there will be new hope, life and children. He thanked everyone who came together in order to build a community and look forward to visiting the site when it will be inhabited by families.
Engr. Misael Hibionada spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressing his gratitude to the local government and Habitat for Humanity for the concern given and new hope thru the housing project provided.
Earlier, the group of visitors made a courtesy call at the City Mayor’s Office in the morning before proceeding to the actual site.
Present during the event were Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona; Councilors Victoriana Cabili, Mark Cui, Carlos Manuel Villarante, Benito Gustilo Jr., Armando Laguda Jr., Wilmer Yap and Ronaldo Batusin; La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on; Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era; Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla; other representatives of the local government of San Carlos, other LGUs, San Carlos Milling Co. Inc. Home Owners Association (SCMCI-HOA), Habitat for Humanity, Hilti Foundation, Base Bahay Foundation, Ayala Land, Megaworld, Jolly Homes Foundation, Holcim Philippines, ASA Philippines Foundation and Gawad Kalinga; youth volunteers; private developers; and others who, in one way or the other, formed part of the housing project.*
