Last December 2020, Typhoon Rolly left around 180 houses buried in Guinobatan, Albay after heavy rains and strong winds triggered a lahar flow. They were left devastated, but not hopeless.
This housing project, Bahayanihan, seeks to help families who lost their homes due to the lahar flow caused by typhoon “Rolly.” Families stayed in evacuation centers then. The cash donations from Kaya Natin fund drive were used to build the houses.
JCI Legazpi was invited to become part of this project by Vice President Leny Robredo through the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Other project partners collectively built the houses: Bicol University College of Engineering, the United Architects of the Philippines Daraga-Cagsawa Chapter and Elliptical Chapter, JCI Legazpi City, and C.C Buencamino Architects for the housing project.
With a budget of P7million pesos, the Office of the Vice President converge several NGOs including JCI Legazpi, to work on the housing initiatives families in Brgy Mauraro, Guinobatan, Albay. JCI Legazpi also donated several constructions and building tools for the project. The relocation site for the new housing was provided by the local government.
In February 2021, a painting workshop was also held at the site led by Davies Paint to teach the volunteers and resident-beneficiaries how to efficiently mix and use paint. Lessons learned during the training may also be used as additional sources of income for the residents.
JCI Legazpi re-visited the site this July 2021 and assessed that the beneficiaries are now living in improved conditions and thriving during the pandemic.
Truly, charity begins at home and bayanihan starts with Bahayanihan.