WITH the continuing problem on housing the victims of tropical storm Sendong, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro along with private and government sectors has come up with a solution for these families to find them permanent homes.
Since the abundance of indigenous bamboo in Mindanao, the Archdiocese funded the model house conceptualized by bamboo advocate, Francis Osorio.
Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro Antonio Ledesma said that the abundance of bamboo in the region is a great solution to the need of permanent houses.
“It is a symbol of bayanihan for us Filipinos. The will to help each other is evident, thus, the creation of this low cost housing,” Ledesma said.
The engineered bamboo house has ventilation features and is bright because of its many vents that allow air and light in. It is also strong and sturdy, as its material is bamboo. The 6-by-6 meter house also looks spacious because of the design.
The Department of Trade in Industry in the region also supports the engineered bamboo housing project. According to DTI-10, the two-bedroom house has a concrete floor and foundation, kitchen, sink, toilet, bath, septic tank, electric and plumbing connections. The house costs 120, 000 with main beneficiaries are those who still have no homes and are victims of the typhoon.
“The model house was launched on September 11 at the old cemetery near Xavier and is now available for viewing,” Dete Acosta of DTI-10 said.
Engineered bamboo housing projects are gaining popularity in different cities especially in Mindanao. Not only it assures sturdy material and convenient source, but it also costs lower than other housings, and even when harvested, bamboo continues to grow back, so we are assured of its unlimited source.
DTI also supports the bamboo housing project because it can also provide livelihood opportunities for families in Mindanao. Not only is it an answer to household problems, but it also provides business and solves unemployment in rural areas.