IN typical bayanihan fashion, Mandaue City officials helped housing beneficiaries in the city’s Pakna-an relocation site to build their new homes ahead of Christmas Day.
In a speech prior to the building activity, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes thanked local and barangay officials and beneficiaries for their cooperation.
“It is the perfect gift for Christmas, one that will be treasured (by recipients),” he said.
“Our vision is to organize them in a community where they enjoy living in safe and decent houses, to raise the future leaders of this country,” Cortes said.
The activity is spearheaded by the non-government organization Habitat for Humanity.
Cortes joined other officials in laying bricks to houses while some helped transfer a whole house made of light materials to another location.
Some were delivering materials to be used for the newly finished access road leading to the site.
A “boodle fight” or luncheon was later shared by everyone in the relocation site.
About 112 beneficiaries were given pails of groceries before the activity ended at 11:30 am.
Michele Caballes, a 42-year-old mother of three children who once lived in a river bank in Butuanon river of Barangay Maguikay Mandaue City, said she can now plant vegetables in a backyard and gather shells for food near the sea.
Oscar Del Castillo, barangay captain of Casuntingan, said it was fulfilling on his part to help beneficiaries build their homes.
The activity formed part of Mandaue City Hall’s project dubbed as “Pasko sa Pagtinabangay Alang Sa Inyong Panimalay.” The project also raised funds for victims of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.
Last Saturday Cortes handed part of the relief goods to TV networks who will send the goods to the typhoon victims.
Mandaue City Hall canceled its Christmas party celebration to raise funds for their contributions to the victims. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza