From Informal Means to Formally Bridging Resource Gaps

By: Rexan Rainer Cabangal 

Community Architect

For a relocation project like Pope Francis Village (PFV) that involves land development and is challenged by the project site’s sloping terrain, huge amount of resources are needed. FRANCESCO, the implementing organization of PFV has initially linked with the Department of Public Works and Highways for site development. However because of the project’s high budgetary requirement and scale, FRANCESCO needed to directly leverage funding support from DPWH Central Office. Constrained by the rigid bureaucratic procedures and anticipation of the national election, approval of DPWH’s funding support to land development was deferred in the meantime.

The Urban Poor Associates (UPA) heading the social team explored other alternative options. One of which was to collaborate with the Korean Armed Forces to access their heavy equipment for the needed hauling support for the Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) Livelihood Project and soil movement at the PFV. Unfortunately, the equipment of the Korean Armed Forces was under the jurisdiction of the Office of Civil Defense National Office. FRANCESCO was advised instead to tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines through its 53rd Engineering Brigade.

            

The sloping terrain of the project site poses
 a big challenge to land development.

Technical team in constant updating with AFPs 53rd Engineering Battalion
Officers for preliminary soil works

The Project teams of FRANCESCO conducted exploratory dialogues with AFP through Commanding Officer Ltc. Henry B. Bellen, who later agreed to extend assistance to the PFV. The AFP was willing to lend their heavy equipment for ground development, but since their assets are old, they negotiated that FRANCESCO will cover the cost of repairs, spare parts and diesel of the heavy equipment including food for the operators that will be deployed on site.

At first, a mini bulldozer was provided to kick start the land movement. After all the needed repairs and spare parts purchased, one grader, one bulldozer and one soil compactor were delivered on site by the prime mover. All these equipment are in place and doing soil works for the first Phase of Pope Francis Village. Dozer works on the first and second strip that will serve as the building site for the first batch of row house units is already 100 percent completed and is now subject to land grading and soil compaction. This portion is being prioritized to accommodate the preliminary earthworks and lay-outing of the 40 row house units.

The AFP also lent two dump trucks to cater to the CHB Livelihood operations particularly on hauling of sand. After securing fund augmentation from FRANCESCO for engine repair, the AFP allowed the project to utilize their trucks for CHB delivery from the production area to the construction site and even for transporting community construction workers.

             

The AFP’s commitment to provide heavy equipment and their field personnel are highly commendable. In fact they expressed that they will not leave the project up until there is still a need for heavy equipment, except for emergency situations where they are required by the National government to pull-out. While FRANCESCO may have shelled-out initial expenses for the repair of AFP equipment, this is insignificant if compared with the actual site accomplishments. Also, this is way cheaper than renting equipment from other suppliers.

Heavy equipment on their scheduled maintenance with AFP's mechanic.

Though FRANCESCO and the AFP were not able to draw-up a partnership agreement, both have established a good rapport and are guided by a common mission to deliver a quality and sustainable housing for the poor and vulnerable Typhoon Yolanda survivors.