The family of Christopher Añora used to live in a shanty in Barangay Soom in Trinidad town after typhoon Odette left their house in shambles when the storm hit in 2013.

Christopher and his wife longed to build a decent house for their family once again, but times have been tough for them, especially after Christopher was hit in the leg in a shooting incident early last year. 

Their prayers were answered in 2023, after they were chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Libreng Alagad ug Balay (LAB) project implemented by the Bohol Provincial Police Office (PPO). 

Christopher, who is already wheelchair-bound, and his family moved into their new house on Sept. 13, 2023. 

“Nalipay ko nga ako usa sa napili nga nahatag ug beneficiary sa programa. Nagpasalamat ko sa mga nag implementar ani nga programa. (I am deeply grateful that we have been chosen as a beneficiary of this program. I am thankful to those who implemented this program),” said Christopher. 

On the same day, the family of Joel Rios Sarmiento in Brgy. San Isidro, Mabini town also moved into their new home after years of living in a shanty. 

Also beneficiaries of Project LAB, Joel hopes the police force will be able to answer the housing needs of more families in the province. 

“Dako kaayo nakong pasalamat kay usa mi sa nahatagan ug balay sa kapulisan. Nanghinaut ko nga tagaan pa mu ug taas nga kinabuhi sa Ginoo aron daghan pa mong matabangan sama namo. (I am thankful that we have been given a house by the police. I hope that you will all be blessed with long lives so you can help more families),” said Joel.

Since 2022, 12 families across the three districts of Bohol have relocated from their storm-hit houses to newly-built structures courtesy of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO). 

Under BPPO’s Project LAB, the police partnered with the provincial government and other stakeholders to build houses for the beneficiaries.  

“Project LAB is a package of free services and labor as well as materials to build a livable house,” said Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, unit head of the Police Community Affairs and Development during the recent Kapihan sa PIA.  

“LAB aims to promote cooperation and partnerships to provide decent shelters to selected beneficiaries from less fortunate families who are God-fearing and law-abiding Boholanos,” said Nuez. 

He added that the project also promotes and relives the bayanihan spirit while motivating generous Boholanos into helping provide the essential services and materials in building decent shelters for the beneficiaries. 

The houses measure 5 x 10 meters to 6 x10 meters, with labor provided by police volunteers, carpenters from the communities, workers from the local government units. 

“The beneficiaries need not spend for the construction,” said Nuez. 

He added that the police also pitch in part of their salaries to the project, which serves as the starter fund for another beneficiary. 

The beneficiaries are identified by local policemen based on their patrol experiences.

Pay it forward

According to Nuez, the beneficiaries, in return, help their neighborhood and the police in their public safety activities. 

With a police force composed of only 2,000 personnel, BPPO is faced with the challenge of keeping 1.3 million Boholanos safe, said Nuez. 

“We need all the help we can get,” he said. 

Twelve houses have been turned over in the following areas as of Dec. 19, 2023: Brgy. Poblacion Norte, Carmen; Brgy. Palacan Sur, Buenavista; Brgy. Zamora, Talibon; Brgy. Campatod, Loon; Brgy. San Isidro, Mabini; Brgy. Soom, Trinidad; Brgy. Macayabac, Dauis; Brgy. Mahayag Norte and Brgy. Maitum, Catigbian; Brgy. Bagacay-Cayawan, Loon; and Brgy. Imelda and Brgy. Nahud, Danao. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)