Rotary homes breaks ground for new site in Muntinlupa

On 30 November, Pres. Peter Manzano joined Rotary Homes Foundation trustees, including Chair Emeritus PDG Sid Garcia, for the ceremonial ground-breaking for a new Rotary Homes site in Putatan, Muntinlupa. The occasion was graced by Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi.The Putatan site, the 3rd site for Rotary Homes, has space enough for 39 housing units as well as a multi-purpose center. The other two sites, both in Paranaque, includes a 4.2 hectare property donated by the Paranaque government under former Mayor Jun Bernabe.Launched in January 2011, Rotary Homes has so far built homes for 300 families that had taken residence in the banks of the moribund Paranaque River, worsening its pollution and hastening its death. Houses are built from donations from corporate sponsors, private individuals, Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, including the Rotary Club of Makati.An active supporter of the project, RC Makati has so far donated sums for the construction of 14 houses. This year, Pres. Peter Manzano’s board has earmarked a budget for the construction of 20 homes. The significance of Rotary Homes and its twin objectives of reviving the dying Paranaque River and building a community for its erstwhile residents was dramatized last year when the Rotary Club of Manila, on the occasion of its 100th year, awarded it a Centennial Award for Outstanding Service Project.