On March 6, Xavier University, the Jesuit university in Cagayan de Oro, the local government of Marawi and the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines held the groundbreaking ceremony for Angat Buhay Village, a resettlement area for families who fled for their lives during the battle between terrorist groups and government forces in Marawi city in Mindanao, Philippines.
Xavier University is the project manager for the transitory resettlement village that will have at least 60 houses where these internally displaced families can live while they wait for their permanent houses to be built in what was the battle zone in the city centre. The transitory shelters should be durable enough to last for five years. “Angat Buhay” literally translates to an uplifted or better life.
“The Angat Buhay village is a story of true bayanihan,” said Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo. “Bayanihan” is the Filipino custom of civic unity and cooperation in which people work together for free to accomplish a difficult task.
The local government of Marawi is responsible for the site development, including water and electricity connections, in Barangay Sagonsongan with funding from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Task Force Bangon Marawi. The local government will also identify the beneficiaries and provide the necessary support to prepare them for their transfer to the transitory houses.
The master plan of the village and the design of the 24-square metre houses are being provided pro bono by the United Architects of the Philippines, Quezon City Elliptical Chapter. The contractor for the houses, Metro Stonerich Corporation, will also provide engineers and labour free of charge. Funding for construction will come from supporters of the Vice President who have agreed to use their donations for the project.
“It is wonderful that so many partners from the public and private sectors are involved in this project,” said Xavier University President Fr Roberto Yap SJ. “With the bayanihan of so many partners, we hope to have most houses ready for occupancy by June 12, 2018.”
Similar to Xavier Ecoville, the resettlement village Xavier University built for Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) survivors, Xavier University hopes to work on the Marawi project following the principle, “We are not just building houses, we are building community.”
“Xavier Ateneo will work with the local government and civil society organisations, such as the Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation, for the social preparation of the beneficiaries, in ways appropriate and sensitive to Maranao culture,” said Fr Yap. The Maranaos are the local people of Marawi and one of the largest Muslim groups in the Philippines.
The university’s engagement in the housing project is a continuation of the school’s Tabang Marawi (Help Marawi) campaign, which began almost immediately after the Marawi siege erupted in May 2017 and has continued even after the fighting ceased in October.
“Tabang Marawi is a Xavier Ateneo response to the invitation of Pope Francis to go to the peripheries,” said Fr Yap.