THE IGLESIA ni Cristo (INC), through its social arm Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, has launched a housing and livelihood project for members of the indigenous group Kabihug in Paracale town, Camarines Norte province.
The Kabihug are members of an indigenous group belonging to the Negrito race. Based in the highlands of the Bicol region, the group’s members have often been victims of oppression and discrimination.
In a statement quoting INC general auditor Glicerio Santos, the religious group said “members of the INC know what it feels to be oppressed so when executive minister Eduardo Manalo learned that our brother Kabihugs were suffering from discrimination, he immediately decreed that we extend assistance to them.”
The INC community project stands on a 100-hectare land in Paracale that includes 300 housing units to serve as permanent shelters for Kabihug families. It also has livelihood facilities like a 20-hectare calamansi orchard, an eco-farm and a fish-drying plant.
The FYM Foundation also built a garments factory and a learning center to initially offer kindergarten and Grade 1 elementary courses to Kabihug children.
Manalo led the inauguration of the project, which coincided with the first worship service of the INC local congregation and the dedication of its new house of worship in the community.