By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A coalition of private groups plans to build 10,000 houses 50 locations across Negros Occidental by 2024.
The housing target was announced by the Negros Occidental Impact Coalition during its launching here last Monday.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, along with Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, Ayala Corporation President Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Habitat for Humanity International Area Vice President Rick Hathaway, Hilti Foundation chief executive officer and director for Economic Empowerment Werner Wallner, Habitat Philippines Chief Operating Officer Lili Fuentes, Habitat Board Member Raoul Benedicto, and Base Balay Foundation Maricen Jalandoni led the turnover of a multi-purpose center for the Maritess Alava-Yong Village in Barangay E. Lopez in Silay to Homeowners Association President Jovie Valenzuela.
The coalition which is convened by the Habitat for Humanity and Hilti Foundation seeks to bring to the project experts in housing quality, site development and city planning, financing for low-cost housing, and community cohesion.
At present, 86 houses have been occupied and 46 houses were turned over. The houses are duplex-type units, each with a 27-square-meter lot area.
Members of the coalition include Habitat for Humanity, Hilti Foundation, Ayala Foundation, Ayala Land, ASA Philippines, ARUP, BASE, BeneTerra, Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Joly Foundation, The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, and the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
They also signed a pledge of solidarity during an evening program at Seda Capitol Central here.
The members will ensure the housing units are disaster-resilient and of high quality.
Lacson commended all the collaborating organizations and companies for building sustainable communities and decent shelter for families in the province.
“I am just glad that the coalition provides not just shelters but holistic and sustainable communities that promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development with special attention to those living in vulnerable zones by providing resilient houses,” the governor said.