Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte has congratulated the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for its successful inauguration Friday of its housing and livelihood projects for Yolanda Survivors in Alang-alang, Leyte, a few kilometers away from Tacloban City. Romualdez, the House Independent Bloc Leader whose district covers Tacloban City – the hardest-Yolanda hit area, expressed his appreciation to the INC for the humanitarian project. “What is admirable with the INC is that it is only one group and yet, they took on several projects which address major needs of ‘Yolanda’ survivors like shelter, jobs and food. Salamat po sa malasakit, INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo,” Romualdez said as he witnessed the inauguration in Leyte. “This world class initiative has shown the whole world that ‘Bayanihan’ spirit is doing great and alive here in our country and our people will forever remember this,” Romualdez added. Romualdez expressed optimism that other sectors of society and organizations, as well as the business community, will follow the INC’s lead in continuously assisting Yolanda victims. Barely 10 months since the groundbreaking of Sitio New Era, envisioned as a model community nestled on top of a mountain aptly called barangay Langit, Romualdez said the housing project now has some 500 concrete housing units completed and ready for occupancy. Another 500 housing units will be built in the area where livelihood facilities have also been set up for the benefit of the survivors of the strongest typhoon on record in the Philippines, he added. Last March 14, INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo came to the site to lead the groundbreaking ceremonies for Sitio New Era, which was named to embody the hopes for a new beginning for survivors of the typhoon who want to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. This happened just a month after the February 15, 2014 Worldwide Walk for Yolanda survivors of the INC, a walk-for-a-cause participated in by more than half a million of its members from all over the world, set in multiple venues, including Roxas Boulevard in Manila. The charity walk also set two Guinness records.
One was for the largest charity walk in a single venue which was in its Manila site, along the scenic Roxas Boulevard where 175,509 participants made it to the finish line. The second was for the largest charity walk done within 24 hours in multiple venues with 519,221 participants that set a new Guinness record category. All the participants who registered and donated money were members of the church. The funds generated by the activity coming from the INC brethren themselves were used primarily for the construction of the housing facilities in Sitio New Era, aside from the donations of INC brethren from different parts of the world as well as in the acquisition of equipment for the eco-farming community. Phase two of the housing project will also benefit Yolanda survivors, even those who are not yet members of the INC, said INC general auditor, minister Glicerio B. Santos Jr., who also spearheads the Felix Y. Manalo foundation, a non-profit organization that handles the relief-giving and other charitable works of the INC worldwide. One of its signature projects called “My Countrymen, My Brethren” or “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko” includes involves medical and relief missions for the poor and the needy, including those affected by calamities all over the world.