PRO-FRIENDS’ relief efforts in Bingawan, Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Yolanda caused widespread devastation in Visayas region, and among those hit was the town of Bingawan, in Iloilo. The strongest typhoon to hit in 2013, Yolanda passed through Panay Island, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Among those who were not spared by Yolanda's wrath was the family Rogelio Premalion, whose seven-year-old house was hit and destroyed by a coconut tree during the typhoon. Premalion and his family were able to take cover in their basement, and when the storm passed he was able to build a makeshift house from spare wood and plastic.

In an effort to help survivors like the Premalion family get back on their feet, volunteers from Property Company of Friends, Inc. (PRO-FRIENDS), the developers of Lancaster New City in Cavite, took a weekend off to conduct a rehabilitation activity in the typhoon-devastated area.

The volunteers, led by PRO-FRIENDS management in Iloilo and its employees, joined hands in rebuilding the Premalion house. Even Rogelio himself joined in rebuilding his home and provided snacks for the volunteers.

Through the 'bayanihan' spirit, the PRO-FRIENDS volunteers showed the people of Bingawan that there is hope even after a big calamity, and volunteer efforts that help victims cope with the disaster provide much-needed inspiration for them to move on with their lives.

Bingawan is one of the communities PRO-FRIENDS have helped over the years, through the establishment of a cooperative in the municipality to cater to the people and provide them livelihood other than farming which they mainly depend on. Through the cooperative, many farmers were able to capitalize on their new-found livelihood and were able to sustain their everyday living.  Many of these farmers’ children were able to finish school through the help of the established cooperative.

PRO-FRIENDS is one of the country’s fastest growing real estate developers known for its property developments in Cavite and Iloilo. It is the developer of Lancaster New City and Bellefort Estates in Cavite and Parc Regency Residences in Iloilo. The company has 11 on-going projects and 15 completed and successful communities. For more information on PRO-FRIENDS’ properties, please call (02) 491-7700 - Manila or (033) 338-3656- Iloiloor visit www.profriends.com.