Paknaan relocation site gets new buildings

Some 600 families living in a 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City will benefit from a newly-constructed multi-purpose building and a health center, a project initiated by the Vriendschapsband HaarlemmermeerCebu (VHC) from The Netherlands.

This as the VHC-Habitat Community Infrastructure Assistance Project turned over to Barangay Paknaan homeowners associations in the presence of Mandaue City government officials and representatives from VHC’s local partner organization, Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Alvin Dizon, former city councilor and consultant on sister city affairs, said the project started in 2016 when a youth delegation from Haarlemmermeer and Kortrijk in The Netherlands came to help build the foundation of the new building. Dizon said the beneficiaries of the projects were families previously living along the banks of Mahiga Creek and other danger zones and were transferred to the relocation site in Paknaan after their houses were demolished.

Dizon said the construction of the multi-purpose building and the health center was worth P2.2 million.

Present during the inauguration were Habitat for Humanity Philippines Chief Executive Officer Charlie Ayco, representatives from Mandaue City’s Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO), presidents of 10 homeowners association and barangay officials from Barangay Paknaan.

Nonoy Chavez, the president of 6.5 Zone Urban Poor, thanked the government of Haarlemmermeer, saying the building will surely benefit the people in the area.

Mayor Theo Weterings of Haarlemmermeer, though he could not attend the inauguration, send his personal message to the Barangay Paknaan homeowners associations.

"The project we see today is born from the strong partnership between the local government, NGOs and community. We are deeply grateful that the Habitat for Humanity, the people and officials of Barangay Paknaan, and the Mandaue City government supported us in realizing this project," read the message from Weterings.

Wetering said he is hoping that the facilities will "play an important role in the community."

Lao/JBB

ALDO NELBERT BANAYNAL Young boys are taking a step forward to manhood after they underwent circumcision during a free “Operation Tuli” held at the Mabolo Parish Multi-Purpose Hall. The said activity was organized by the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, St. Gemma Galgalani...