Buggoc Bayanihan

Challenge launched

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (ZNS) -The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the City Government is spearheading a bayanihan build challenge for Sama de Laut families in sitio Buggoc, Barangay Kasanyangan.

The program, launched Wednesday, August 6, at the City Hall conference room with the commitment and pledges of various civic organizations, private institutions and other stakeholders, targets the construction of 200 single detached houses on stilts.

Primarily, the project hopes to decongest the R.T. Lim Boulevard and to provide culturally sensitive and disaster-resilient houses to target beneficiaries at the shortest time possible using the Bayanihan concept, a Filipino tradition which refers to the spirit of communal unity and cooperation. Likewise it hopes to engage non-governmental players who can provide manual, moral and financial support in the construction of the temporary shelters.

Under the program, the IOM will provide the housing materials for the construction of the 200 housing units on stilts in Buggoc. The build partners will assist by providing the labor component estimated at P10,000 per unit which will be equally divided to  5 laborers who will work for 7 days at a daily cost of P280.

In recognition of the contributions made, the name of partners organizations/ individuals shall be indicated in the units they will help build and will be acknowledged in appropriate forums.

The build will kick off August 11 where all the partners are expected to join in the ceremonial build set at 9:30am at the construction site.

Initially, partners who committed to help in the build challenge are the Local Council of Women represented by Dr. Mila Fernandez, Nuevo Zamboanga represented by Crisanto de la Cruz, Rotary Club of Zamboanga, fraternity groups, Mr. Delfin Saavedra, Lions Club, Office of the City Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, Office of the General Services, City Health Office and other stakeholders including national government agencies. (Sheila Covarrubias) (081214)