Cemetery transformed into livelihood center

CEBU, Philippines - What used to be a cemetery in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City will soon be transformed into a livelihood center for the underprivileged individuals in the area.

Yesterday, acting mayor Edgardo Labella led the ceremonial pouring of the three-storey multi-purpose building.

“This is a welcome development. This area used to be a cemetery and Lorega is a showcase of how we can turn a slum or depressed area into something productive,” Labella said.

The construction of the P17 million facility is shouldered by Wakuwork Foundation Inc. through Sang Kai Construction.

Labella thanked the foundation for its civic consciousness and being part of the project with the city government, together with Uniqlo-GK Kapitbahayan Association and the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

Labella said the center will be the avenue for the people in the area to learn skills in trade, as offered by the Japanese foundation.

Takako Yamada, Wakuwork Foundation founder, said during her speech that the Japanese community is eager to give back to Cebu City, which has been a home for her for the past 10 years.

Yamada said she has been working with children and the youth to guide them in making their dreams come true and in securing professional jobs.

She said another company, Waku Work English online and Café, has hired underprivileged youths to be independent and to make their dream into reality.

“But it’s not enough because the number of youth we can hire in our company is limited and what we wanted to create is the community wherever they were born everybody can be true to themselves and realize their potential and make their dream into reality,” she said.

With the establishment of the center, she said a number of children can learn and study, while some young people can train for jobs.

“Indeed, more than 100 people are donating for our Center, also Uniqlo is one of big supporter. And last month we visited Yokohama City and they are also willing to work together to change the society. I hope we can be one of the project for Mega Vision 2050, which Cebu City and Yokohama City created,” she added.

The center is expected to be completed in September this year. But she said the foundation is eyeing to complete the two floors first.

She said the foundation is planning to have the day care center on the ground floor and second floor for the training of the underprivileged.  (FREEMAN)