Construction of 1,000 houses for Yolanda victims completed

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — With the turnover of 200 housing units in Ormoc City on October 29, SM Foundation through its SM Cares Division, completed its target of 1,000 houses for the Yolanda-affected families in the Visayas.

The Ormoc project, which is the last of four villages—the other three are located in Bogo City in Cebu (200 houses), Iloilo City (200) and Tacloban City (400)—was made possible because of the foundation’s partnership with spouses, Engineers Edward and Violy Codilla.

Marissa Fernan, SM Prime vice president for the Visayas, told The Freeman that the Codilla couple donated the 1.5-hectare lot at Barangay Catmon in Ormoc, paving the way for the establishment of the housing village.

“We apply the same SM standards for housing projects,” Fernan replied when asked if the paved and lighted roads inside the village are good only to the Ormoc site.

Fernan, however, emphasized that Violy Codilla played great role in the planning process, resulting in the landscaping and well-manicured garden space in front of every housing unit, which is 27 square meters in size.

“The units are typhoon-resilient and each is designed for a second storey provision, if any beneficiary wants,”  Fernan said.

She added that the six roads within the village are named after major donors (with P1 million and up donations), with the main road named Codilla Street in honor of the lot donor. Other donors are listed in a tablet within the housing village.

Palo Archbishop John Du, who blessed the village, recognized the benevolence of all donors and cited them for the good deeds. “You should not be choosy in helping others,” he said during the Mass. He also encouraged the beneficiaries the beneficiaries to remain humble and help each other at all times. “After the structures, the formation of people will be next,” he said.

Edward Codilla, former mayor of Ormoc, for his part told the beneficiaries to always thank God and share His blessings. “The good Lord shared His graces to our family, and with open heart, we also shared it to you, so share in God’s love.”

The Codilla couple also let lent their other lots to be used as sites for bunkhouses in the aftermath of Yolanda devastation, and later donated 50 hectares for another housing project. They too were instrumental in the implementation of a housing project by a United Nations group in Ormoc. (FREEMAN)