400 typhoon-proof houses for Yolanda survivors in Tacloban

From left: CFC ANCOP-Tekton Foundation Inc. president Jaime Ilagan, Tacloban City Councilor Raissa Villasin, Vicar General Rev. Fr. Jaime Villanueva, Palo Archbishop John Du, Juliet Romualdez, SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia, Zonta International’s Dr. Baby Perez Sison, Tacloban City OIC administrator Jenny Lyn Polistico-Manibay and SM Prime Holdings vice president for Visayas and Mindanao Marissa Fernan.
(Contributed Photo)

SM Foundation, through SM Cares, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony in barangay New Kawayan, Tacloban City to signal the construction of 400 typhoon-resilient houses for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda.

Palo Archbishop John Du donated two hectares of land in New Kawayan for the 3rd SM Cares village that will accommodate 400 houses.

The houses are designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes and are built better than government standards.

This is to ensure the safety of the families who will live there. Each village will have a community center and a basketball court.

Beneficiaries are obliged to help take care of the village, including the painting of the houses, beautification of the community, planting ornamental plants in the vicinity, maintaining cleanliness and peace and order.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Catholic priests led by Palo Archbishop John Du, the SM Group led by SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia, SM Prime Holdings vice president for Visayas and Mindanao Marissa Fernan, SM Supermalls VP for Operations Visayas Joy Veloso.

“What will rise in this place are not only houses, but homes because a home is what comprises a community… a community of love, not just to give refuge to roofless, but also an endeavour that will give shelter to love, family life, sense of concern and respect to one another,” Archbishop Du said.

The project is privately-funded, with donations coming from SM’s stake-holders, business partners and the community. The houses will be given to selected beneficiaries for free. CFC Ancop, a major partner of the housing project, also pledged to donate 100 houses.

The project is over and above the P100 Million commitment that the SM group of companies have allotted for the recovery and relief operations for the victims of the typhoon.

SM Foundation also built 200 houses for typhoon survivors in northern Cebu. The SM Cares Village is located in Polambato, Bogo City and turn-over of the houses is set on Nov. 9.