New hope for riverside residents in Parañaque

After living for more than 15 years in a shanty along a riverbank in Parañaque City, worker Sonny Sabio finally has a safe and sturdy house to come home to.

This after DMCI Homes, together with the local government and nongovernment organizations, turnedover a total of 60 housing units early this year to less privileged families in Parañaque.

“Before, whenever it rains hard, we would always feel afraid that the roof of our house will get blown away. But not anymore,” shared Sonny as he, together with wife Lorna and son Hansel, entered their new home in Barangay La Huerta in Parañaque City.

Sonny, who used to live in Dahlia Street situated along a riverbank, is one of the latest beneficiaries of the housing project that was made possible through a public- private partnership between the Parañaque local government led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez together with Habitat for Humanity Philippines ( HFHP), and South Metro Manila i- Home Foundation. Making this project attainable is DMCI Homes, the sole private firm which supported and funded this project amounting to P14.7 million.

“We have long been praying for a house that’s sturdy enough to withstand typhoons and other calamities. This is just the beginning and we look forward to the fulfillment of our other aspirations in life,” added Lorna.

With renewed aspirations, the Sabios can now look forward to a brighter future along with 59 other families who have similarly been awarded titles to their new homes early this year in Bagong Parañaque Homes Phase 2, a 4.2- hectare land situated in Barangay La Huerta along C- 5 Extension Road.

“The company is keen in creating homes with exceptional quality and value to many Filipinos and we are pleased to be part of this housing project to help the less privileged,” said DMCI Homes President Alfredo R. Austria.

“We are grateful to the people behind this project for the less privileged. This gives us hope for our future. It gives us security from losing shelter during the rainy season,” said Sonny.

Aside from this project, the developer also funded the first phase of the Bagong Paranaque Homes with P12 million together with the Rotary Homes Foundation and the Couples for Christ ANCOP TEKTON Foundation.

In 2012, the developer also donated almost P4 million to the local government of Quezon City for the construction of houses in Bistekville 1 where less fortunate families living in Barangay Payatas had been relocated.