12/14/2011 [ tribune.net.ph ]
The Navotas City government has partnered with the Habitat for Humanity as they promised to build together at least 500 housing units that will benefit the “poorest of the poor” in the coastal city.
The housing units will be constructed at the Navotas Socialized Housing Site located at the reclaimed 8.4 km fishpond in Barangay Tanza, said Mayor John Reynald Tiangco who revealed the agreement he signed with Habitat officials to members of the Camanava Press.
Habitat president Ricky Jacinto pledged to build 500 houses through a memorandum of agreement he forged with the city government, the mayor said.
“We support the city government of Navotas in its endeavor to give decent houses to underprivileged Navoteños and we opt to finish this project as soon as we can through everyone’s cooperation in building houses and raising funds,” Jacinto was quoted as saying.
Last Dec. 6, the Habitat for Humanity and actor and sports enthusiast Derek Ramsay, who also stands as the ambassador of the organization, led the launching of a program dubbed “Habitat for Humanity Derek Build Program.”
It was primarily aimed at inspiring volunteerism acts and donation of fund from kind-hearted individuals for the realization of the project, the Habitat said.
Ramsay came along with his friends and relatives to celebrate his birthday on the following day with a cause.
He said: “I am very honored to be part of this program and I am looking forward to see how this could help homeless Filipinos.”
Other celebrities who also rendered voluntary services to the program were Angelica Panganiban, Vina Morales, Martin Nievera, Kian Kazeni, John Arcilla, Cristalle Henares and Biggest Losers cast Angela Lupangco, Eboy Bautista, Hazel Chua, Ryan Razon, Raffy Tan, Joy Sy and Leigh Villegas.
The city mayor was overwhelmed as he was extra grateful to the support the Habitat gave to the local government, especially in providing houses for the homeless residents.
To date, 50 housing units have been constructed through the Priority Assistance Development Fund of ex-mayor-turned-Rep. Toby Tiangco while 50 housing units are currently being constructed under the same fund at the housing site, the city government said. Arlie O. Calalo
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