#Bangon SugBohol raises P2.1 million

Bangon SugBohol, the civic movement aimed at helping Cebu and Bohol rise from the rubble of the October 15 earthquake, raised P2.1 million cash over two weeks after the aid initiative was launched online and mounted two benefit concerts in Cebu City.

After sending relief goods to survivors in Bohol, efforts will now shift to rehabilitating areas heavily damaged by the temblor and rebulding lives of families affected, said convenors in a press conference yesterday.

The amount was pooled from corporate, group and individual donations that were entrusted to the movement, led by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Gawad Kalinga Foundation national executive director Luis Oquinena said GK will start building 30 to 50 “transition houses” for survivors by next week.

He said GK can fund 100 houses and target building 1,000 houses. From the P2.1 million fund of #Bangon SugBohol, P55,000 was specified by the donor for GK Foundation.

Oquinena said they still have to decide where to build the houses.

Each unit will cost P60,000 and will be made of concrete and indigenous materials.

“It will be a 20 square meters to 25 square meters house with concrete flooring and concrete walls up to the waist. From the waist up, we could use amacan or bamboo. Roofing can be a nipa or corrugated G.I. (galvanized iron) sheets,” he said.

“So long as we have the clearance from MGB (DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau) that it is safe to build then we’ll start building,” he said.

He said GK is open to accepting help in cash, materials or volunteer labor.

About 67,400 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged by the earthquake.

“We want to build one house per family,” he said.

CCCI president Lito Maderazo said the movement will partner with GK in this second phase of rehabilitation.

He said convenors will meet soon to decide on where to prioritize the rest of the cash aid.

He said the expertise of business chambers is to assist in livelihood and restoring economic activity.. The movement has over 30 organizations has members.

“We will be focusing more on the livelihood side and networking with other chambers in Bohol.”