When rescue and relief efforts associated with Tropical Storm Sendong abated, Xavier University found itself facing another challenge: to actively participate in the rehabilitation measures for thousands of families left homeless. On December 23, 2011, XU committed to develop 5 hectares of its property in Barangay Lumbia to be used as relocation site for 500 families who once resided in places tha
t now pose great geo-hazard risks. The result is Xavier Ecoville, a resettlement community for tropical storm Sendong survivors located in brgy. it is facilitated by Xavier University, the community members, the local government, donors and other partners for a self-sufficient and value-laden community. The Xavier Ecoville Project
Since the start of the project in January 2012, XU-LRP has operated in three phases:
Phase 1 is the camp management phase from January to May 2012 where the focus was to transfer partner-beneficiaries from evacuation centers to transitional shelters and the management thereof. Phase 2 is the community organizing phase from June to December 2012 where the focus was on the community’s self-governance and self-reliance through the implementation of different programs, including capacity building activities. Phase 3 is the community strengthening phase from January to June 2013 where the focus was on strengthening the community associations formed but this was effectively superseded by the need to re-validate and transfer partner-beneficiaries from temporary shelters to permanent shelters. A Phase 4 of the project is to focus and further develop the community into an economically and ecologically progressive community that is both self-sufficient and self-governing. This phase will be implemented in three years, with progressing targets per year. Vision & Mission of the project
Vision: An economically and ecologically progressive God-centered village inhabited by residents who care for one another. Mission: To develop a values-driven, self-sustaining XE community through comprehensive capacity-building programs that engages all stakeholders. Goals for Phase IV
At the end of three years, the project should have accomplished the following:
1. Strengthened the XE Homeowners Association and other community organizations for them to be self-governing.
2. Increased economic stability through establishment of labor-intensive livelihood programs.
3. Deepened community values on cooperation and environmental respect through values formation programs.
