More poor families are blessed to have their own houses with an agreed ANCOP site at Brgy. Santolan, Malabon City named Diocese of Kalookan – CFC ANCOP Calgary Canada Community San Miguel Ville Homes.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held just this August 8, 2018 at the project site attended by the stakeholders from San Miguel Ville Home Owners Association (SMVHOA), donor representatives, Barangay Officials and CFC Metro Manila West A Sector. This project was made possible by the grace of God through CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, Inc. (CAFGI), ANCOP Canada, Diocese of Caloocan, Emme SME and Mariel Aglipay Foundation, Inc., Philippine Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), and the Local Government Unit of Malabon City.
The project site which is a 1,622.5 square meters lot located at Custodio St., Brgy. Santolan, Malabon City, was acquired by EMME SME and Mariel Aglipay Foundation, Inc. for the reallocation of SMVHOA residents from Barangay Catmon, Malabon City, which is a squatter’s area located at one of EMME Foundation’s properties. With the help of the Diocese of Caloocan, CFC ANCOP did its intervention in providing 40 houses according to ANCOP’s standard house design targeted to finish on or before January 22, 2019, and was later on supported by PCUP and the Malabon City LGU.
The ceremony was opened through a Holy Mass presided by Most Reverend Pablo Virgilio David, D.D or Bishop Ambo of the Diocese of Caloocan, who emphasized that the Lord truly hears and answers the cry of the poor.
It was later on followed by a short program, beginning with Malabon City Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta, who expressed his gratefulness to the donors and reminding the home partners to be a model community. It was followed by some remarks from EMME SME and Mariel Aglipay Foundation, Inc. Chairman, Gen. Edgardo Aglipay (Retired), who also expressed his gratefulness to the partner donors and was also amazed on how the Lord brought them together to help the poor all for God’s glory.
Bishop Ambo David also shared his dream of commencing a housing project that has finally come to life through this. He reminded everyone, especially the home partners, the value of expanding the reach of charity as Christians that was taught to us by Christ by saying, “charity begins at home, but it does not mean that it should end at home,” that with this mindset, they would be able to build a community where everyone is treating each other as a family. CFC ANCOP Canada President Ricky Cuenca also shared his remarks by presenting to them the holistic approach of ANCOP, that they would not only help them in building homes, but also in building their lives through providing values formation tracks, Christian Life Programs, and Livelihood programs. This was supported by CAFGI Chairman Lito Tayag by sharing to them Technical and Vocational Education Training for Parents (TVET-P) of ANCOP where home partners are possible beneficiaries of the program. The SMVHOA residents also expressed their appreciation to the partner donors through their Homeowner President Jose Eden Arroyo, Sr. Support from the Couples for Christ West A Sector Governance Team to the home partners was also assured by their Sector Head, Bro. Nonoy Caunga.
The program later proceeded into the Memorandum of Agreement Signing by CAFGI Chairman Lito Tayag, Bishop Ambo David, EMME Foundation Chairman, Gen. Edgardo Aglipay, SMVHOA President Jose Eden Arroyo, Sr., and was witnessed by ANCOP Canada President Ricky Cuenca and Malabon City Mayor Lenlen Oreta.
As what Bishop Ambo shared during his Homily, “nandito tayo dahil mabait ang Diyos, dahil may grasya,” (we are all here because the Lord is good, and grace is real) the Lord will surely do all His might to help those who unceasingly pray and are faithful. This project just proves that God has the capacity to bring different people to a common ground: to answer the cry of the poor. (CFC ANCOP Communication /pmb