UK-based NGO to bankroll housing project in Paknaan

CEBU, Philippines - A United Kingdom-based non government organization has approved the funding for the construction of housing units in the 6.5-hectare relocation area in barangay Paknaan intended by the city government of Mandaue for informal settlers residing in danger zones in the city.

The Homeless Peoples' Federation which is affiliated by Homeless International based in the United Kingdom will be setting up a model house in the area for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Leopoldo Chavez, regional coordinator of the organization, said initially his group will finance the construction of 156 houses for the beneficiary-members of Mahayag Homeowners Association, Inc located along Mahiga Creek at the back of Hypermart, Mandaue City.

According to Chavez three representatives from UK will arrive tomorrow to visit the beneficiaries and the 6.5-hectare area.

Chavez said the two-story model house has a lot area of 32 square meters and made of indigenous materials mostly bricks called Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEP), a technology developed in Thailand and will be produced by Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiative Inc. (PACSI), a local conduit of Homeless International.

He said the model house which will cost P90,000 will be constructed in a land-filled area to give the beneficiaries and other stakeholders an actual look in hopes of inspiring them to actively get involved in the project.

The amount will be availed by the beneficiaries under a soft-loan program.

Homeless International thought its Communty-led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF) program has also poured in almost P4 million for similar projects in two areas of the 9.2-hectare on-site project of the administration of Mayor Jonas Cortes located in barangays Guizo, Mantuyong, Tipolo, and Subangdaku.