SARIAYA, Quezon - A total of 86 families relocated from high-risk coastal areas to a new, disaster-resilient and sustainable housing development built for them by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), and will be getting more than just a new start in life: they have also remained coronavirus disease (COVID-19) free – in large part due to the measures taken by SMC to make sure they are safe amid the pandemic.
The development, called the San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes, sits on a 5.4-hectare area in Sitio Curba, Barangay Castanas, and has benefited from the full assistance of SMC throughout the pandemic. It was built in partnership with the local government.
SMC, which has led private-sector efforts to help the Philippines deal with the crisis, had put in place strict health and safety protocols, including the installation of handwashing stations, equipping guards with thermal scanners, and mandating the wearing of face masks.
It also provided regular food supplies to residents to reduce their need to go to the market and risk exposure to the virus.
“Mabuti na lang at nakalipat kami dito sa San Miguel-Gayeta Homes bago dumating yung pandemya, dahil maganda yung lugar at naalagaan kami dito,” said Larry Eborde, 38, one of the early settlers in the new community.
Eborde used to work as a tile setter in Manila, but quit his job before the lockdown to be with his family. Together with neighbors Jojit Magsino and Edin Corral, they co-own the fish store near the village gate.
Prior to the move, Eborde and his family lived along the coastal area, which was classified as a hazard zone as it exposed settlers not only to the elements but also to flooding or inundation, due to high tides.
Apart from gaining safety and security, families like Eborde’s also now have properties and homes under their names.
SMC is building a total of 450 homes—all titled properties—for relocates. The company, which is building an integrated agro-industrial zone with port facilities in the coastal area — has already, completed 300 units, with the remaining 150 currently under construction.
It started distributing the house-and-lot packages--with corresponding land titles--for free to qualified relocatees last year.
“Napaka swerte ng Sariaya dahil sa pagdating ng San Miguel. Hiniling ko kay Boss Ramon Ang na walang babayaran ang mga dapat lumipat sa subdivision. Nagpapasalamat ako ng sobra sobra sa tulong na ito ng San Miguel sa aking mga kababayan,” said Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta.
Each residence at the San Miguel-Gayeta Homes has a lot area of 54 square meters, with built homes that can fit a bedroom, toilet and bathroom, kitchen, and dining area.
All houses are being constructed using “Green Tough” (GT) panels, designed and manufactured by Fadz Design and Construction, Inc., to be far better than conventional concrete and hollow-block houses.
The panels are termite-proof, sound- and heat- insulated, wind-proof, earthquake-proof, and environment-friendly.
“This village is our way of ensuring that relocatees from the coastal area will have good homes that they can pass on to their children. San Miguel has had a lot of experience building large housing communities that we’ve donated for disaster victims all over the country. We have used that experience to try to develop a comfortable, sustainable, and disaster-resilient village here—especially since the residents are coming from a danger zone,” said SMC President Ramon S. Ang.
The community, which was built following Housing Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) standards, has its own overhead water tank with 136,000-liter capacity, a dedicated sewage treatment plant made of natural reed beds, a multi-purpose hall, park, daycare center, and clinic.
The new community is within easy reach of schools (Castanas National High School and Castanas Elementary School), local government centers, services, and business opportunities.
SMC has also taken the extra step to give adult residents who did not finish high school a chance to do so, and become entrepreneurs through the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS).