'Yolanda'-affected families to get homes in 'Pope Francis Village'

MANILA, Philippines - Around 550 families in Tacloban City affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" in 2013 will be living in permanent houses in the so-called Pope Francis Village, Church-based groups said. 

 

On Monday, Palo Archbishop Josh Forrosuelo Du led a Holy Mass, attended by members of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and Catholic Church's social arm Nassa-Caritas Philippines, after a  groundbreaking ceremony of the 12-hectare project site in Barangay 99, Diit in Tacloban City. 

 

The project, deemed as the first in-city permanent relocation, was named after Pope Francis to symbolize the values of mercy and compassion brought about by his recent visit to the city.

 

"In-city relocation will allow every member of the family to earn a decent income and children to play in the playground,” Denis Murphy of UPA said.

 

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, on the other hand, said the project only proves that in-city relocation is possible.

 

"We can provide permanent housing to the people of Tacloban without taking them away from their livelihood," the prelate said. 

 

The project proponents said that aside from housing, the Pope Francis Village will give people sources of income through the provision of space for organic farming. It also has a day care center, a school, a chapel and a basketball court.

 

Members of the community were also involved in all aspects of the project, from the design of the houses to the identification of livelihood options and the disaster risk reduction planning.

 

The project is expected to be completed by September next year.

 

Last June, about 3,000 families living in Tacloban’s danger zones were supposed to be transferred to temporary relocation shelters. 

 

However,  the city government of Tacloban did not implement the plan after the people protested the proposal.