Holy Family Village on Top of a Hill

by Dado Gerard C. Vallejos

1 May 2011 – San Fabian, Pangasinan. The project which was born from the devastation of Typhoon Pepeng is nearing its completion. The Holy Family Village which will house twenty-five families who lost their lands and houses by Typhoon Pepeng’s rampaging waters is nearing completion. The basic structures of the first eight row-houses are now standing since the project was started on July of 2010.

The foundation and the lay out of the second row-houses are now being  constructed. The houses will be built on three slopes of a hill bought by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan specifically for the project.
It has been a slow but steady work for the twenty-five family beneficiaries who are providing the labor in building the houses which they will soon occupy. Seeing the first row of houses brings hope and joy to them. The “Food for Work” program has been on-going and is providing the needed continued support for the families.

“Sometimes, we do not know where to get the needed funds, but help would come at the most unexpected time and sources.” Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest of San Fabian, said with regard to the Food for Work component of the project.

“God sends generous people always, all the time”, he further said.

The Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (FMJPIC) provides the much needed funds for the materials in building the houses.

The first 8 row-houses located at the topmost level of the Holy Family Village

 

The second 8 row-houses on the second level of the hill.

(Dado Gerad C. Vallejos is a member of the Parish Ministry of Social Action (MISA). He is Teacher-I at the Longos Central Elementary School, San Fabian, Pangasinan)

Binday Housing Project: Holy Family Village

11 October 2010. The Bodega built to store the construction materials and supplies. It was destroyed by Typhoon Juan but was eventually rebuilt in another place.

11 October 2010. The topmost part of the village being prepared by the bulldozer.


14 October 2010.

8 November 2010. The worker-beneficiaries having a meeting with Bro. Tony Supremido, the Project Coordinator.

8 November 2010.

Housing Program launched for Typhoon Pepeng Victims

30 July 2010 – San Fabian. Ten months after Typhoon Pepeng washed out their lands and destroyed their homes, the twenty-four families of Binday South, San Fabian, Pangasinan can once again look at their future with hope. Ten months ago, they had lost almost all their properties; had very little hope; their future seemed dark and uncertain.

For the past ten months, some have been living in makeshift structures they call their homes. Others have made a part of the barangay hall their home. Kind neighbors and relatives have taken some of them.

Hope has been rekindled.

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, with the Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (FMJPIC) headed by Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM, has given them this  hope: a land where they can put up their house, and rebuild their lives!

The housing project will be built in a land owned by Mr. Franco Gachallan. A 2,500 sq/meters area from the said lot was acquired by the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, and the Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (FMJPIC). Materials for the houses will be provided by FMJPIC, while the labor will be provided by the beneficiaries. Each family shall have a 100 sq/meter lot, and about 50 sq/m area for their house.

A formation program as well as a sustaining livelihood component will be introduced to the 25 families.

The group of Fr. Joel Sulse visited the site. A Mass was celebrated together with the families. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, parish priest and Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM, celebrated the mass.

Fr. Joel Sulse is also the parish priest of Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati.

The beneficiaries have started clearing the land in preparation for the building of their homes.

Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM, inspecting the site for the Housing Project.

The clearing of the lot by the heads of the families.

Bro. Tony Supremido with the people listening intently to Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM, explaining the nature and the processes of the housing program.

 

Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM

A potluck! Good lunch shared by the families.