SILAY City Government and Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Monday, November 13, for the construction of a multi-million housing project in Barangay E. Lopez.
The MOA, signed by Mayor Mark Golez, and Michael Meaney, managing director of HHPFI, covers the construction of an initial 100 units of cement-bamboo frame housing units in 10 months, with an estimated cost of about P45 million.
Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez, chair of the House committee on housing and urban development, and Lili Fuentes, project director of Habitat, signed as witnesses.
The duplexes will be constructed at BonBon Resettlement Project Phase 3, which was developed by the Silay City Government using financial assistance from the National Housing Authority under the LGU Resettlement Assistance Program.
In his message before the signing, Golez thanked Habitat for the project which he said will be a big help to the less residents of the city.
Meaney said he is looking forward to a strong partnership between Habitat and the City of Silay.
The MOA signed initially covers 100 units, but Habitat is committed to raise funds to complete the construction of 546 housing units, including some community facilities.
Benitez welcomed the project and also shared some sustainable initiatives being piloted in some housing sites like the provision of water to the households using solar-powered driven pumps.
Also present during the signing ceremony held at the Operations Center in Silay City were Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the congressman’s brother Francisco Benitez, president of the Philippine Women’s University, Vice Mayor Joedith Gallego, City Administrator Ryan Montoro, and councilors Linda Caja and Tom Ledesma of the committee on housing.
Lacson said he is glad to know that bamboo will be used in the project, citing that the province of Negros Occidental currently has a strong advocacy to promote bamboo.
E. B. Magalona Mayor Malacon, who was also present during the MOA signing, together with the municipal councilors, said he is hopeful that with their efforts in housing, in coordination with Municipal Planning Officer Erwin Poniado, they will also be future partners of Habitat.
Other guests during the signing also included Judges Dyna Trocio, Ana Bernad and Eunice Cuansing, and members of I-Home-Bacolod.
Habitat Bacolod/Panay staff Ma. Victoria Abello, Silay Housing Authority Officer Alore Golez and her staff, and District Coordinator on Housing Concerns Marie June Pavillar-Castro, assisted during the MOA signing and provided technical assistance support during several project meetings. (PR)