Badjaos get new homes

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), together with Vereniging Haarlemermeer Cebu (VHC), recently turned over two quad houses and a multipurpose building to the Badjao community in sitio Puntod, barangay Alaska Mambaling, Cebu City.

The multipurpose building was named after a historical symbol in Haarlemmermeer, the Dik Trom Center.

Felicito Asamsa, chieftain of the Bajaus in Mambaling, said they were very grateful for the multipurpose center.

Alfida Sanchez, one of the recipients, said “Our house before was made of lawanit. We like this (quad house) now because it is cool and durable.”

Haarlemmermeer Mayor Theo Waterings gave an image of Dik Trom as token to the tribe and asked Asamsa to place it in the multipurpose center.

The housing project, implemented by RAFI through its Badjao Integrated Area Development Project (BIAD-P), is targeting to build 35 quad houses until 2014 for the 140 Badjao families.

The houses are designed by the Fine Arts and Architecture students of the University of San Carlos (USC) based on the research by the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and History, according to the culture of the Badjaos.

The ceremony was graced by RAFI’s chief operating officer Dominica Chua, Education Unit executive director Anthony Dignadice and Culture and Heritage executive director Jocelyn Gerra, and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

The event culminated with the Badjao children performing a song and giving out roses to the representatives from RAFI and VHC.

For inquiries about the BIAD-P, call Anton Fuentes at 4187234 local 515 or visit websites www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.