Tuesday, July 20, 2004 Real estate firm donates house, lot for Angelo By Albert B. Lacanlale and Fred Roxas
BUENAVISTA, Mexico -- If his Iraqi captives will keep their word to release him by month's end, truck driver Angelo dela Cruz will go home to a new house in his hometown in Mexico, Pampanga.
The developer of the Benjamin 9 Northville Subdivision, who is donating a house and lot to the dela Cruz family, formally turned over his donation Monday.
The donated property measures 148 square meters and is the fulfillment of a promise made by Veronica E. Lim, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Benjamin Construction Equipment Inc., in light of dela Cruz's anticipated release.
Subdivision public affairs and special projects manager Rosana Vinales and Ramon Casaje Jr., assistant sales manager, to dela Cruz's sisters Julie and Beth.
Earlier Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert promised that the remaining 34 Philippine soldiers would be off Iraqi soil before the end of the day, despite criticism from the United States and the new Iraqi government over the early withdrawal.
Islamic militants calling themselves the "Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade" had given government until July 31 to pull out its troops or they will behead dela Cruz.
In Monday's turnover in Mexico town, dela Cruz's sisters thanked the real estate developer for the donation.
Lim, in the deed of donation signed before town officials led by Mayor Teddy Tumang and dela Cruz's relatives, said the donation is done out of concern for the welfare and heroism of dela Cruz and his immediate family.
Lim stressed the donation is non-transferable to any third party but could be inherited by qualified heirs of dela Cruz.
The subdivision is a well-developed housing area some 15 minutes away from the San Fernando and 45 minutes away from Metro Manila. Its features include cemented roads, elegant and wide landscaped entrance, a clubhouse, a commercial area, playgrounds and modern sports facilities.
Construction of the house will start this week so it would be ready for occupancy when dela Cruz arrives from Iraq, Vinales said.
At the same time, local municipal officials are finalizing preparations for a hero's welcome for dela Cruz.
Tumang, for his part, said the Municipal Government has also prepared for dela Cruz's homecoming.
He said traffic schemes on roads where dela Cruz would pass have been formulated while the rough road leading to Barangay Buenavista had been improved.
Tumang further said he would personally spend for the homecoming party as one of his gifts for dela Cruz.
Clark International Airport Corp. (CIACor) authorities are also preparing to welcome dela Cruz at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Ecozone following still unconfirmed reports that the hostage might arrive home through the DMIA.
Aside from the house and lot, the dela Cruz family has received various forms of assistance, including education for his children and free eye surgery for dela Cruz's youngest son at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center in Angeles City, jobs for qualified members of his family at the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and cash assistance from Gov. Mark Lapid and from the Pampanga Provincial Government.
Relatives and friends of dela Cruz also continue to hold round-the-clock prayer vigils at his home for his safe release.
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