LIONS Int’l to Help Build Houses for Naga Evacuees

Lions Clubs International (LCI) is bent on helping build houses for the evacuees of the Tinaan, Naga landslide.

In a meeting with Naga City offcials, Lions District 301 B2 Governor Jerry Joseph Lim expressed the organisation’s intent in helping the city fulfil its promise of building houses at the permanent relocation site for the 360 family-evacuees.

Lim and the rest of the officials had a dialogue with Ruth Rowena Alensonorin, Naga City Mayor’s Executive Assistant, and City Assessor Atty. Flordelis Ababa on the local government unit’s plan to permanently relocate the families.

“We will wait until the LGU will come up with a concrete plan already on the type of houses or any other relocation plan so that we will know where can we, the Lions, come in,” Lim said.

Just like in Tacloban, Lim said, where there is already a soon-to-finish P250-million Lions Village with 100 houses for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

He said it is also best that there will already be clear ownership of the lot for relocation by the LGU since it would hamper or discourage the assistance from LCI.

A problem on ownership on the lot for relocation was encountered in Tacloban, which delayed the completion of the project.

Alensonorin said the lot ownership will not be a problem since the Provincial Board (PB) of Cebu already passed the ordinance on the donation of the 2.3-hectare portion of the Balili property in Brgy. Tinaan, Naga City.

Next week, Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong is invited by the PB for the turnover of the Deed of Donation.

Ababa said they are studying two options for the type of houses for the evacuees, namely: row houses and the mid-rise condominium units.

“As of now, the mid-rise condominium unit is being carefully considered in order to maximise the space,” Ababa said.

The relocation site is approximately 2.3 hectares.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in his visit last month instructed the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the acquisition of lot for relocation and construction of the houses.

Ababa said the national government initially pledged to construct 200 houses.

The Naga officials assured to complete the plans and the documents in a month.

Until then, LCI officials will have to wait.

The Lions were in Naga City on Oct. 13 to give early Christmas treats for the children and the elderly.

Days after the landslide, the LCI turned over hygiene kits and clothing as well as conducted feeding of the evacuees.

They also handed over portable purifiers to 20 crucial areas.

Each purifier, called Jerry Can, is worth P25,000 and has a usable duration of two years. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)