Bgy. Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City
26 February 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected the Xavier University- Lumbia Resettlement Project (XU-LRP) at Barangay Lumbia in Cagayan de Oro City.

Upon arrival, he was briefed by Xavier University president Father Roberto ‘Bobby’ Yap on the eco-friendly community being built for families who were victims and survivors of tropical storm Sendong that devastated the city on December 17, 2011.

The five-hectare resettlement site has now 568 permanent shelters built and equipped with facilities like a community center, chapel, livelihood center, study center and a multi-purpose hall, among others. As of January this year, 517 households currently residing in Xavier Ecoville qualified for resettlement as their houses have been washed out by the flood and whose former addresses have now been declared as no-build zones.

“Marami ho tayong nagtutulong-tulong dito tulad ng Habitat, tulad ng Xavier, at iba pang mga kumpanya, organisasyon. Talagang tutulungan namin kayo hanggang mailagay kayo sa maayos na maayos,” the President said in his brief remarks.

President Aquino also added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are working together and looking for more ways to increase livelihood opportunities to ease their difficult situation.

The first in the world to be run by an academic institution, Xavier Ecoville is a joint endeavour of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and the local government of Cagayan de Oro.

Also present during the visit were Social Welfare and Development Region X director Atty. Araceli Solamillo, Public Works and Highways District Engr. Bonifacio Lora, National Housing Authority OIC regional manager Judy Fernandez and Habitat for Humanity Philippines managing director & CEO Charlie Ayco.

*  *  *