“CHARITY begins at home” – This is what the Rotary@Home, a rehabilitation program of Rotary Club of Cebu Fort San Pedro (RCCFSP), believes in, with its recent plans for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the world’s strongest storm in recorded history.
Relief operations from RCCFSP, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary International District 3860, various Rotary Clubs and generous private organizations and individuals from all over the world continue to pour in since Yolanda wrought havoc in the Visayan Region of the Philippines in November 8, last year.
Today, RCCFSP is doing what needs to be done for the affected areas. Keeping true to its thrust to uphold humanitarian service, the organization paves way for the Rotary@Home Rehabilitation Program. “This is our chance to be a blessing to others. This is just the beginning,” says Khristina Pestaño, the club’s President.
The killer storm went through Northern Cebu Province leaving thousands of residents homeless – including the Municipality of Tabuelan. In one of the town’s mountain barangays called Cantubaun, 400 out of 410 houses were flattened. This area will be the center of the rehabilitation program of the club.
“Three of our Rotarians are from Tabuelan and many more Rotarians are actually affected by the calamity. So, we are working hand in hand to help our fellow Rotary Club members and those who are in need in these times of adversity,” adds Pestaño.
Designed by Architect Gus Lee, about 600 houses dispersed in small communities of 5-10 families will be constructed. More Northern Cebu towns including the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban will also benefit with the program as the club receives more grants and aids from various civic organizations such as Raleigh Society in Singapore among others.
The design is simple, yet very Filipino. It embraces the Philippine culture and respects the needs and preferences of local people using readily available and indigenous materials such bamboo and coconut lumber. It has GI sheets for roofing, ‘amakan’ (or ‘sulirap’ and ‘sa’ as options) for walls and bamboo for flooring, instead of plywood, ply board and/or cement.
Among the main elements considered during the construction are lighting, ventilation, Filipino customs and traditions. The use of ‘oro-plata-mata’ counting for stairs, going high tide for the ‘latid,’ including the moon shape preferences (which are considered intangible local treasures) were also highlighted.
The rehabilitation program will also promote livelihood for the local people as amakan will be sourced out locally, too. Construction materials will be provided by the Rotary@Home. While the beneficiaries will help in the construction of their own houses as a counterpart.
Simple Filipino house design of 4 meters by 3 meters in floor area (12 sq.m. Total) will be used. The cost is P15,000 or US$375 per shelter.
Rotary@Home welcomes volunteers (individuals and organizations from anywhere in the world) and those who can bring power tools so that the construction is faster and more efficient. Youth and civic organizations are most welcome to augment manpower during construction. Power tools in carpentry are also in the wish list.
For more details, search Rotary@Home on Facebook.
