223 families to get homes 7 years after Sendong

Housing project is in Lower Palalan, Barangay Lumbia

Some 223 families who were survivors of typhoon Sendong will finally get their homes under the housing project of the city, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).

The housing project of the Muslim-Christian Homeowners association will rise in Lower Palalan, barangay Lumbia. The construction of 223 units on the purchased lot will start as soon as the homeowners will submit the necessary requirements.

Lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SHFC president said they are ready to release the funding for each of the housing units. Residents will be financed in buying a lot, and in turn they will pay it by tranche to the SHFC.

Ccabling estimated that once the housing units will be completed, residents will only have to pay P1,500 to P1,700 per month, depending on the design of the units, and depends on the social status of the family.

“We don’t build houses, we’re building communities together,” Cabling said.

Mayor Oscar Moreno for his part cited the need in maintaining a good relationship with SHFC especially that the city still needs more housing projects, as it has over 34,000 informal settlers.

“We need to show SHFC that we are good partners, nga daghan pa tay mahimo together, kining atong coastal areas, creeks, daghan dihay informal settlers. Ang challenge lang gyud is for the city to develop a good

relationship with SHAFC, and we should learn from all of this,” he said.

“The next level is mga informal settlers, two years ago, 34,000 pa ang wala na relocate and the number will increase with the progress that Cagayan de Oro is experiencing now. This is why we need to fast track these kinds of projects, housing, mga resettlement, this is a good start,” he added.

The project is expected to be finished before the year ends.

Engineer Ermin Pimentel, head of the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) said the city has already relocated about 8,000 Sendong survivors.

Pimentel said more housing projects are underway for the remaining typhoon survivors, citing the Japan housing project which promised to build 722 housing units.