RAFI, Austrian org begin work on Yolanda village

By Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
August 21, 2014

CEBU CITY – Some 100 families who were survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda will start helping build their homes at a relocation site in Barangay Maño provided by Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), and the local government of San Remigio, Cebu next month.

They will form the first batch of the 300 families identified as beneficiaries of the relocation program conceptualized following the November 8 super typhoon, which heavily damaged northern Cebu towns, including San Remigio.

The “Filipino-Austrian Village,” a pilot project of HWA in the country, is to be completed in December 2015, with the first 100 families expected to start living in the 2.9-hectare site in December this year. “At the end of August, we should know the first batch of families moving into their new houses, and also integrate them in the process of construction in September or October,” HWA Project Manager Sussane Chylik said.

“The site development is advancing fast despite the rocky soil. It is nearly finished for the first 100 houses, as well as the staking of the lots, which were enlarged to about 56 square meters per lot,” she added.

HWA is one of Austria's leading organizations for development cooperation and humanitarian aid. It is guided by the principles of sustainable development and universal human rights. Through its projects and programs, it aims to improve the lives and perspectives of beneficiaries.

“We are happy to work together with these two committed partners (RAFI and San Remigio town) for the benefit of the typhoon-hit families. Forming local partnerships is crucial for the sustainability and the beneficiaries’ approval of development assistance. Thus, HWA always tries to form close bonds with established organizations and to integrate our projects in already existing and functioning networks,” Chylik said.

Last March 27, RAFI, HWA, and the local government of San Remigio signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of permanent homes for 300 families affected by the “no-build zone” strictly imposed in the aftermath of Yolanda.

Less than three months later, construction of the relocation site formally started with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 2, which was attended by Honorary Consul to Austria Julie Vergara, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez, HWA Managing Director Heide Burkhart, and RAFI Integrated Development Unit Executive Director Margaret Ann Gravador.

The town, among other responsibilities stipulated in the agreement, provided the location for the houses. It will also provide professional training to 100 of the beneficiaries and offer them jobs at the construction site.

The town will also provide the heavy equipment and the plans in the construction of the houses and the development of infrastructure.

RAFI, for its part, acts as facilitator and evaluator of the program by monitoring the implementation, profiling the beneficiaries, and gathering baseline data. Aside from providing the funds for the construction of the houses, HWA will also provide technical supervision during the construction of houses, including the assignment of an overall project manager.

Once the first 100 families have been selected and informed, RAFI will closely work with them so they can take part in the construction of their homes. This way, the families will also develop early on a sense of ownership of their new homes. “This kind of ‘sweat equity’ is an important contribution by the beneficiaries to the project as they will feel responsible for their community and give a helping hand to the activities on site,” Chylik said.

This will also give an opportunity for HWA and RAFI to get to know the beneficiaries better to identify future leaders who can lead the new community.

To ensure sustainability, the design and construction of the permanent houses use the solid Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB) bricks pioneered by the University of San Carlos and RAFI, instead of non-durable materials like plywood. A roofed production site for the ICEB production has also been constructed on site to shield the beneficiaries from the elements while making the blocks.

“Our intention is to reduce the beneficiaries’ vulnerability against future disasters,” Chylik said.

The beneficiaries are chosen based on the following criteria:

• The house has been completely destroyed by the typhoon and is uninhabitable.

• The family does not receive adequate assistance for house repair/reconstruction.

• Current residence is within the “no build zone.”

• The family does not own the house they are currently living in.

• The family is willing to be relocated.

• The household is headed by a female.

• The family is taking care of an elderly (aged 60 or above).

• The family is taking care of people with disabilities (PWDs).

• The beneficiary is endorsed by the LGU.