ANCOP Canada continues to provide poor families better dwelling as newly completed houses are turned over to the beneficiaries in various areas in the Philippines .
ANCOP Canada President Ricky Cuenca in his June visit to the Philippines led the turnover of houses to the beneficiaries in various ANCOP villages. In Paniqui, Tarlac (a province north of Manila) Ricky turned over 64 new units to the beneficiaries assisted by Mayor George Coquangco Revilla. Construction of 100 more units are under way soon to be awarded to identified beneficiary families.
Present during the ceremony were local government officials, private individuals supporting ANCOP, parish priests from the local Catholic Church, and the beneficiary families who repeatedly expressed gratitude for ANCOP’s support.
With Ricky was his wife Irma, Eric delos Reyes (country coordinator for CFC Canada) and his wife Carina, and the members of ANCOP Canada board, namely: Greg Parillas (chairman) and his wife Tess, Noli Arzadon (treasurer), and Jimmy Arzadon (member).
Ricky is pleased to have observed that the ANCOP villages are well organized, the houses are well kept, and more importantly the beneficiaries are very happy. “This partnership with the local government of Paniqui is essential for ANCOP in providing poor families an opportunity for a better living condition,” he said.
In Bamban, another municipality in Tarlac, 20 housing units were turned over to the beneficiary families, while 10 more are being constructed. “The families used to live in squatter areas, thus owning a home has brought them a unique sense of joy and thankfulness,” Ricky said.
During the turnover ceremony a beneficiary expressed that the houses they now own are truly God’s blessings to them. “Now we can live with dignity and peace befitting God’s children,” he shared.
Meanwhile, 30 families were the recipients of the completed units in Our Lady of Banneux ANCOP Village in San Mateo, Rizal a province east of Manila. The recipients of ANCOP houses were families who lost their homes in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. They became homeless and had sought shelter under the bridges in Metro Manila.
Without the ANCOP housing the beneficiaries would have remained in their pitiful dwelling area under the bridges. When it rains they get wet, when typhoon comes they are flooded, and in summer they are subjected to scorching heat and dust. Ricky expressed amazement at how the families remained hopeful despite their poor living condition. “I could feel the sincerity of their joy despite lacking financially,” Ricky shared.
The last ANCOP village the president visited was St. Amboise in Bato, Leyte where he turned over 100 houses to the beneficiary families. Forty children are under ANCOP’s CSP in this village. Ricky shared that he is pleased at how ANCOP’s work is moving forward in all these communities blessing the lives of people in need.
By ANCOP Canada and Willy Estolas, CFC/ANCOP Toronto