Poverty has forced many Filipinos to live in precarious conditions.
In Nocnocan Island, Talibon, Bohol, Pedro Mendez and dozens of other families have a foreshore lease agreement with DENR that allows them to set up houses at the edge of the shoreline. They have to build on stilts because they have no land.
Pedro's house was completely damaged during Super Typhoon Odette, leaving only the cement pillars. Last week, a team from the Blessed Trinity Cathedral Parish rebuilt the house of Pedro, who is coordinator of the chapel in the island.
Tanging Yaman Foundation sponsored the construction, one of 37 houses in the Diocese of Talibon, through its Odette rehabilitation funds. The parish also gathered additional donations for kitchenware and food during the house blessing on March 25.
We are grateful to Fr Doms Amoncio who coordinates the TYF-funded shelter and livelihood projects in the diocese, and who travelled to Nocnocan for the house blessing.