Bishops’ conference to build new homes in Philippines
(January 05, 2012) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said on Tuesday
it will seek funding for the construction of 1,000 houses for victims of recent flooding
that has claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people and left hundreds of thousands
more displaced. The plan includes construction of 400 permanent homes in Cagayan
de Oro City, another 400 transitional homes in Iligan City and 200 other temporary
shelters in Mumaguete City. Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the Commission
on Social Action, Justice and Peace within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines, said a start date would depend on approval of funding. “We are asking
Caritas Internationalis for 70 million pesos (US$1.6 million). They will start releasing
their pledges once we finish the revision of the proposal.” He said he expected construction
to begin by mid-February once Caritas gives its approval. “Those in Iligan and Dumaguete
will be constructed on site, while those in Cagayan de Oro will be relocated. We have
to find a suitable place for the 400 families there,” he said. Government and other
groups have also announced plans to address housing needs in the wake of flooding.
Welfare secretary Corazon Soliman has said the government would prepare an unspecified
number of permanent homes for flood victims now being moved to tents and temporary
shelters from schools and Churches. The Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University has
also tabled a plan to build 200 new residences in two flood-affected cities.