Manila Bulletin
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17th December 2018
Habitat for Humanity Philippines celebrates 30 years of building homes, communities, hope for Filipinos
DAVAO CITY – Habitat for Humanity Philippines kicked off its 30th year anniversary celebration at the Apo View Hotel recently.
Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Managing Director Mike Meaney highlighted the efforts of the organization in building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter and community development programs in Mindanao.
Meaney also mentioned Habitat’s disaster response during Typhoons Sendong and Pablo, two of the strongest storms to hit the region.
“These milestones are a testament of the genuine recognition of the importance of housing and concrete actions… We remain committed to building sustainable communities by engaging volunteers, building infrastructure, homes, and providing relief during disaster situations,” he added.
Public-private partnerships in support of the vision
In addition, Meaney recognized the importance of forging partnerships with public and private institutions in realizing Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Deputy Secretary General Melissa Avancena Aradanas announced that the government is aligned with the thrust in addressing the housing need in the Philippines.
Aradanas also called upon organizations from every sector to “step up our housing production development not just in terms of numbers but more importantly in terms of quality, durability, and resiliency to ensure that we provide safe and secure shelter.”
Euro Towers Inc., one of the country’s top real estate firms, presented its full support to the vision through a 50-million-peso grant. It will be used for Habitat programs to build homes for the marginalized and poor families in the next five years.
“We share the same passion for advocating building with dignity among the Filipino community by providing them with livable and decent homes,” Euro Towers’ Head of Sales Grace De Leon said during the ceremonial house-building.
Meaney was then joined by Habitat for Humanity International’s Resource Development Director – Asia Pacific Joseph Scaria, and Habitat Philippines’ Board of Trustees members Architect Bong Recio and Margie Moran-Floirendo in presenting awards for individuals and organizations that have supported the organization in the last three decades.
Recipients of the awards ranged from local government units, private corporations, non-profit organizations, and media companies.
True advocate of decent shelter
Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Board Member and Ambassador Margie Moran-Floirendo shared her passion in advocating for decent shelter. She cited her experiences in Youth Build and Peace Build, two of her most memorable projects with Habitat for Humanity for the past 20 years.
The Youth Build galvanized volunteers in building homes for the poor families in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The Peace Build, on the other hand, created homes for the families in Central Mindanao including Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos.
“We created peaceful communities where Christians and Muslims are living together and respect each other,” she emphasized.
Moran-Floirendo added that working with Habitat for Humanity has been a rewarding experience. “I have several advocacies. I found a lot of fulfillment in seeing people transform their lives by being involved with Habitat,” she concluded.
