TACLOBAN CITY-More Taclobanons will finally have their own home away from the danger zones, as the remaining 303 completed housing units in Pope Francis Village (PFV) have been awarded to the identified beneficiaries on Thursday(April 8).
The ceremonial turnover, held at Redemptorist Church, was led by the project implementer thru Fr. Edwin Bacaltos, C.Ss.R. FRANCESCO President, and other partner stakeholders represented by NHA Regional Manager Engr. Constancio Antiniero, DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong, and Engr. Silverio Gempenson, Jr., OIC Leyte 1 District.
Meantime, Phillip Lumbre, PFV Home Owner Association president, who received the symbolic house key during the ceremony on behalf of the housing recipients, expressed gratitude to all the partner agencies, including the local government under Mayor Alfred Romualdez, for the collective efforts done to be able to provide them a place in a safer ground that they can now call “home”.
In deference to health protocols, only block leaders from the said housing site, in Brgy. 99 Diit, received the occupancy permits and certificate of awards.
Witnessing the event, were officials from various partner agencies, including the LGU through the City Housing and Community Development Office thru its OIC Tedence Jopson and one of the Executive Assistants, Atty. Agnes Pacheco, who likewise gave an inspirational message on behalf of the city mayor. Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin and, the chief executive’s son, Raymund Romualdez also graced the activity.
Before the turnover, a mass was officiated by Palo Archbishop John Du to give grace to the beneficiaries who will receive ownership certificates of units in the housing resettlement project.
Since the project started in 2016, a total of 566 completed housing units have been awarded, of which 263 were initially turned over way back in 2019.
To note, unlike other housing projects for Yolanda victims here, the PFV is located seven kilometers away from the city’s business district and very accessible through public transportation.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
