LOWER TIPOLO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC (LTHAI) PROJECT UPDATE

October 24, 2011 - The 61 housing beneficiaries of the 3^rd batch LTHAI Housing project has to wait 30-40 days on its full completion in which they are now working on the roof framing.  The construction started November 2010 and estimated to be finished first week of December according to Engr. Noel Zeta. Marlyn Bayon-on a 3rd batch  housing participant suggested that the turnover of these units should be during the Christmas season this year as it is a big success for them.  

   

Out of 255 housing units, the LTHAI community already completed 65 housing units being the first and second batch and some of them already started to repay their loan.  

Both first and second batch has given an option to include the roofing to be part of the loan or from own pocket but they chose not to include in their loan.  As a result, they don’t have the same roofing with different colours and material unlike the third batch which collectively agrees that roofing has to be included as part of their loan. 

Learning through experiences

Engr. Billy Ray Bermejo and John Louie dela Victoria both from PACSII-Mindanao Region spent two day-visit to LTHAI and MMVHAI construction site for a learning exchange as an effective way of sharing strategies and approach between implementing partners. 

The purpose of the exchange is to be well verse regarding Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB) as an alternative construction material since Engr. Bermejo is used to conventional construction materials and to know how the PACSII-Central Visayas implements the projects particularly in Mandaue City.  

Engr. Bermejo is directly in-charge of housing projects in Davao City, Kidapawan City, and Digos City all in Mindanao Region while John dela Victoria serve as projects documenter.

    

Engr. Noel Zeta  shares knowledge on ICEB with Engr. Billy Ray Bermejo and John Louie dela Victoria

FOUR HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY MOVED IN TO THEIR NEW HOUSING UNITS

(with Daisy Ambos at her new house)

MMVHAI, Subangdaku, Mandaue City - On September 30, 2011 the construction of 20 CLIFF incremental housing units has been fully completed. It took 10 months for first batch of 20 MMVHAI community members to build their dream houses.   At present, four households already transferred to their new housing units following the heavy rainfall last October 8, 2011.

The four household includes Mr. and Mrs. Fermin Ambos, Mr. and Mrs. Diosdado Reyes, Mr. and Mrs. Nestor Argallon and Mr. and Mrs. Carlito Secio each has 2 children.

(Taken at the old house of Mr. & Mrs. Diosdado Reyes) 

(This is now the new house of Mr. & Mrs. Diosdado Reyes)

According to Mrs. Daisy Ambos, the housing project made possible through the community-led initiatives.  First and foremost, the savings program of Homeless People’s Federation Philippines empowered them as a community and through the technical help of Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. their dream houses has come to reality.  Moreover, through their savings they acquired a loan from Community-led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF) to facilitate for the incremental housing constructions of first 20 units commence last November 2010.  Other contributing factors for the success include sweat equity, “bayanihan”, labor equity, savings and active in all community activities and meetings.

Mr. Diosdado Reyes added that they are also thankful to the city administration particularly to City Mayor Jonas Cortes for his full support to the community initiatives. 

Following the completion of the first 20 units, the community already screen and approved another 30 housing applicants for the second batch of MMVHAI CLIFF housing project. 

(At the second floor of Ms. Daisy Ambos' unit)