Poor families get free housing units

CEBU, Philippines —  More select beneficiaries will receive a decent housing unit from Police Regional Office-7 through the “Kapwa mo, Sagot Ko” program in time for the Police Community Relations (PCR) month celebration.

PRO-7 director Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said the beneficiaries, who should be among the poorest of the poor, will either have a free house renovation or a brand new house.

The latest beneficiary was Emilita Cañete, 47, a widow from Sitio Bukid-Bukid, Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City. Ferro said Cañete and her five children, ages range from two to 10 years old, were living in a makeshift made out of scraps.

Police Colonel Carlito Baja, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) director, said they met the family during a relief operation. The mother only does an errand for living.

 “Ang inahan, kung naa la’y magpatrabaho, magpalabada, kana lang,” Baja said referring the family’s source of income.

Through the help of the Lapu-Lapu City government, the LLCPO built a decent house for the family in four days. The local government provided the police with the housing materials.

Last June, PRO-7 also turned over a new house to a grandmother and her seven grandchildren in Barangay Tubigag Manok in Asturias.

“The father was arrested for drugs while the mother abandoned the children. I think they are seven siblings, and they were left to their lola. So we build that house out of the contribution from the different police, and we build the house with a decent hygienic toilet, and two rooms,” Ferro said.

The siblings were also given scholarships from a foundation. According to Ferro, the rationale of the project is to help the poorest of the poor families in the community, especially during this time of pandemic. — FPL (FREEMAN)