Prov'l gov't, Virac LGU initiate weather proofed, green housing project

Thursday 23rd of February 2012

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 23 (PIA)-- Catanduanes, in collaboration with the local government here has initiated the implementation of the housing project in Barangay Sto. Domingo to provide affordable and safe homes to government employees and Housing Development Mutual Fund (PagIbig) members.

Likewise, it seeks to introduce replicable strategies to building technology using green designs and construction techniques.

The project intends to introduce new approaches in renewable energy applications and waste management initiatives for the achievement of ecological integrity in mass housing projects; and pioneer sustainable home-owner livelihood programs with the available low energy cost.

Virac LGU employees will also be covered by the said program subject to the Sangguniang Bayan's assigning its portion of the four-hectare land to the provincial government.

Housing units to rise in the said site will be single-detached, two-level duplex, and low-cost and modular studio-type row houses that can withstand wind speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and magnitude 8 earthquakes.

To avail the program, the following are the requirements: the permanent government employee must have at least P3,000 net take home pay after deducting the probable monthly amortization of the housing loan or with at least 40 percent disposable income, has satisified eligibility requirements of the Pag IBIG housing loan application, an active Pag IBIG member with a minimum of 24 monthly contributions, not more than 65 years old upon filing, is insurable and has legal capacity to acquire real property, with no outstanding Pag IBIG housing loan or foreclosed, cancelled and brought back or subject to "dacion en pago", with no outstanding Pag IBIG multipurpose loans in arrears and with proof of repayment capacity and approved by the housing project committee.

Said project will introduce and feature the following renewable energy: solar power system for each household unit, off-grid wind/solar power for water supply pump; solid waste disposable, biogas digester or anaerobic buffered reactor (ABR), composting, collection and processing of non-biodegradable waste in materials recovery facility (MRF), and waste water disposal, storm water and brown eater treatment before disposal.

On the other hand, the livelihood center will feature battery charging for e-trikes and e-jeepneys, purified water station, ice-making, cottage industries using processed biogas and supply of organic fertilizers. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)