Caritas Cebu turned over about a hundred housing units to families rendered homeless by Typhoon “Odette” in Boljoon town in the province of Cebu on Tuesday, February 14.
The project is a collaborative effort of Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Philippines, and the local government for victims of the typhoon that hit the province in December 2021.
The “core progressive shelters” were turned over to beneficiaries in the town’s Kalumboyan village during a simple ceremony attended by Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo of Cebu.
“This Valentine’s Day, it is more than a flower or rose you received, you received a house, you received a home and a community,” Bishop Labajo said during Mass.
“We thank God for showing us concretely his goodness and love through these shelters,” he said.
Thirty-five “on-site core transitional shelters” were also turned over to beneficiaries from five mountain villages of Nangka, San Antonio, Upper Becerril, Lunop and Lower Becerril.
“We do not only see houses here but hopefully in the future a chapel and a resilient community,” said Bishop Labajo.
“During typhoon Odette, many of us living near the river lost our homes,” said Amelyn Mendez, one of the beneficiaries of the housing project. “But because of your love and kindness, we are very blessed for this opportunity and project,” she said.
Mendez said the house “is really beautiful” as she expressed her gratitude to Caritas Philippines, Caritas Internationalis, and Caritas Cebu.
