SAMAL, Bataan—Despite what looked like rainy weather, the turnover of additional houses at the 58th ANCOP site, the CFC ANCOP/CCO – AA Imelda Housing Community Phase 2 in Samal, Bataan pushed through on August 27 in Barangay Imedla, Samal, Bataan, also known as the “Land of Heroes”.
“From what I know, Bataan is a province of heroes…So what we did [here] is bayanihan. Bayanihan is when many people come together to build a community,” ANCOP President Leo Labrador said in Filipino during his message to the 150 attendees.
Houses to homes
In an interview after the event, he explained further that the site is a bayanihan project among the local and provincial LGU, the donor Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO), Couples for Christ, and CFC ANCOP.
Labrador added: “While the turnover that day was for houses, we want the recipients to turn them into homes, homes full of love and care for each other and their neighbors.”
The program was kicked off by an opening prayer by CFC Bataan ANCOP Head Juancho Enriquez, followed by the turnover ceremony of 30 houses and the signing of contracts.
Funded by the Cross Catholic Outreach, the village has 115 houses with a multi-purpose hall funded by CFC ANCOP UK. all by CCO.
In her message, CCO Philippine Coordinator Lot Ortiz-Luis emphasized the beauty of cooperation that helped make the project a success, “Many Filipinos dream of having their own home, and one of the happiest moments is when people come together, to do bayanihan to make it a reality, to have a house that is safe, decent, clean, where growing families can be happy,” she said in Filipino.
Now a reality
Meanwhile in his message, Samal Mayor Alex Acuzar shared how he personally asked CFC ANCOP to give his town its own socialized housing, sharing as well his hopes for the beneficiaries.
“I wasn’t born rich. We also didn’t have our own house before. I also know the feeling of finally having your own house…The people of Samal are so blessed because of organizations like CFC ANCOP that are helping us—not just for spiritual needs but also for financial ones like giving us these houses. My only request is that you (the beneficiaries) love these houses,” he added in Filipino.
Such sentiments were echoed by Samal Vice Mayor Ronald Ortiguerra who said that everyone dreams of having their own home where they can be at ease.
“Now that wish is no longer a dream but a reality that we will witness ourselves…We thank CFC ANCOP and CCO, you became an instrument, you became a way for the dreams of our fellowmen to become a reality,” he explained in Filipino.
Vice Mayor Ortiguerra also stressed how important having a house is, saying: “Life is so hard nowadays that it’s not that easy to own a house like this. I hope you will love your home with respect…We know that the success of a family begins at home.”
One of the new homeowners was also called on the speak, and she said: “I want to thank ANCOP… Let’s continue also to believe in God. Hopefully, we’ll continuing having faith. He’s the only one who can give us something like this,” she said in Filipino.
The next Phases of CFC ANCOP CCO AA Imelda Samal Village are set to begin construction in 2026.
Also present at the turnover were:
- Hon. Felipe Javier, Barangay Captain, Barangay Imelda
- Juancho Enriquez, Work with the Poor Head, CFC Bataan
- Hon. Marjun Bantay, SB Member, Committee on Housing and Land Use
- Hon. Cristina Garcia, Vice Governor, Bataan
- Liza Cruz-Dela Cena, Representative of Cong. Tony Roman
