SMC affirms commitment to Leyte housing project

San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang has affirmed the company’s commitment to build self-reliant and sustainable communities in Leyte for the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan)

Ang said the company, through San Miguel Foundation, expects its socialized housing project in the province to be completed by 2016, with the cooperation of its partner builder Habitat for Humanity and support from local government units.

SMC committed to build more than 1,000 homes initially for families displaced by Yolanda in Leyte province.

To date, 242 housing units have been turned over while another 42 are under construction in the municipality of Javier. Meanwhile, houses allotted for the municipalities of San Miguel, Palo and Tanauan are also set for construction once the LGUs complete the process of identifying lands for site development.

“We are determined to start construction on more housing units in the coming months. We continue to work closely with our LGUs in Leyte and we hope to fast-track the project for our beneficiaries,” said Ang.

In 2012, SMC made the largest single donation from the private sector to victims of Typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Negros Oriental, through its P550-million project to build 5,000 homes. This project is now nearing completion, with the balance of 295 houses to be constructed this June.

The new communities are now flourishing and have become a safe haven for families, with access to potable water, electricity, sanitation, schools, clinics, stores and community centers.

“We believe that housing is a powerful platform for improving the wellbeing of individuals and families. We want to bring back hope to these disaster-stricken areas by providing them with a fresh start,” said Ang.