MVP Tulong Kapatid turns over houses to Typhoon Pablo survivors

BAGANGA, Davao Oriental, Philippines  — MVP Tulong Kapatid (TK), the corporate social responsibility consortium of companies led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan recently turned over 266 housing units to families rendered homeless by Typhoon Pablo in December 2012.

The five-hectare resettlement site in Barangay Lambajon was developed with the assistance of the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) with the support of Tulong Kapatid organizations. Partners in the project included construction firm DMCI, the National Housing Authority, and the Philippine Constructors Association.

Immediately after the typhoon, Tulong Kapatid deployed relief teams to the hardest-hit areas and then raised over P100 million in donations through a telethon program and a text donation campaign done by Smart and Sun Cellular. Funds raised from the telethon were used for the construction of a model resettlement site.

“Working hand in hand with the provincial government of Davao Oriental, we have turned this tragedy into an opportunity to ‘build back better’ by helping set up a disaster-resilient community,” Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications, said.

Collaborating with other Tulong Kapatid members, the PLDT-Smart Foundation ensured that the resettlement site is equipped with all necessary utilities.  Electric power was provided by the Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative with the assistance of the One Meralco Foundation. Water filtration devices from Maynilad were also distributed during the first phase of house construction.

 Land development was taken care of by NHA, while the provincial government handled the provision of the water and waste system and land acquisition. The construction of all 266 houses and the community clinic was funded by Tulong Kapatid.

 Makati Medical Center, through its partner organization Makati Shangri-La Manila, provided medical clinic equipment/instruments and furniture for the community health clinic.

On the other hand, PLDT and Smart engineers and architects dedicated their services for the design and technical monitoring of the MVP Homes housing project.

Some of the beneficiaries participated in the house construction after undergoing training from the Galing Mason program initiated by DMCI president and chief operating officer Jorge Consunji and Allado Construction Company Inc. president and general manager Ramon Allado, in partnership with cement company Holcim.

Under the program, 35 men were trained in various skills including excavating, layouting and finishing that enabled them to help build homes in the resettlement area. Some of the trained workers are now being hired for other housing projects in Typhoon Yolanda areas.

“I’m very happy that we were given this kind of opportunity. It feels like we just broke free from our struggles with Typhoon Pablo. Today, we can easily get jobs since we already have the necessary skills,” Arnie Chavez, a program graduate, said.

Involved Tulong Kapatid organizations include TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation, One Meralco Foundation, First Pacific Leadership Academy, MPIC Foundation, First Pacific, North Luzon Expressway, Makati Medical Center Foundation, Philex Group Foundation Inc. and Maynilad.