Abp. Valles leads turn-over of houses for Pablo victims

MONKAYO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY—Nineteen months since Typhoon Pablo devastated this town, some still cannot forget the grief it brought them but in a little way, pains are eased as some of the families here can finally live in a shelter they can call their own.

Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles led the blessing of the chapel whose construction is sponsored by Caritas Manila and the turn-over of housing units, a project of the Archdiocese of Davao through the Archdiocesan Social Action Center headed by Fr. Leonardo Dublan after a series of campaign dubbed as Balik-Bahay, Balik-Kapilya.

Bishop of Tagum Wilfredo Manlapaz was also present during the ceremony held, July 13, as the Diocese also sponsored the construction of housing units through their Social Action Center headed by Fr. Emerson Luego, Director.

The Archdiocese of Davao turned over 50 housing units in Brgy. Olaycon and 26 units in Brgy. Babags both in Monkayo.

Mayor Luis Brillantes of Monkayo expressed his gratitude for the construction of the housing units. Their family donated the lot where the San Miguel Chapel and housing units are erected in Brgy. Olaycon.

“Pag-binuotan ha. Hinay-hinaya lang og kumpleto ning balaya,” Archbishop Valles said to a man during the blessing of his new house.

The archbishop also presided the concelebrated Mass in the San Miguel Chapel.

Bishop Manlapaz on the other hand told the residents of Brgy. Olaycon to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings and asked them to facilitate the creation of proper drainage system so that their new houses will not be washed out by surface run-off.

It can be remembered that Compostela Valley Province was hit by Typhoon Pablo last December 4, 2012. It was the first time for most of the people to experience such devastation that resulted to deaths of individuals and damage to properties. (@johnfrancesf)