By Anna Koosmann | Consulting Architect
Over the past five months, I returned to the Philippines as a Fulbright Scholar and consulting architect to shore up the architecture design-build program at Foundation University. It was timely to return after three built comunity projects to review how well the buildings have been integrated into the community. From August - December 2015, I teamed up with the director of research and community extension, Geraldin Quinones, to revisit each community and barangay council. At the multipurpose hall, we discovered that there were some missing links between the city, barangay council, and community beneficiaries on owner agreements. After visiting the site and reviewing building condition and operations, we learned that the water was not yet hooked up to the comfort room (toilet plumbing) and rainwater was flooding the interior from a neighboring roof. It was unclear to the Core Shelter community which name to enlist on the water and electrical bills for the connection. It was also unclear to the community beneficiaries for whom to report the maintenance issues for the issue of flooding interior. Since March 2014, Foundation University officially turned over the multipurpose to the City of Dumaguete with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The agreements stipulated that the City of Dumaguete was the owner of the multipurpose hall; however, over 1 year after the turn over, it was revealed that ownership was lacking within the city departments. After several meetings, with the barangay council we determined that the barangay of Bajumpandan, a local government unit, should be the official owner. To finalize this, we issued a Deed of Donation between Foundation University and the Barangay of Bajumpandan members. We held a small program at the multipurpse hall on December 19, 2015 just before Christmas. Foundation University president, Dean Sinco, announced three scholarships for Core Shelter residents to receive education at the elementary, prepatory, and college levels. Orlando Enquig, the barangay captain, addressed the community about their responsibilities as the site managers and beneficiaries of the building. Nicky Dumapit, a local personality, environmentalist and educator, played a song using hand-made, native instruments. It was a nice event to reconnect our partners with the community for a positive turn out and it shows our dedication to our partners for longterm benefits. After the Deed of Donation, the barangay captain asked for our assistance in creating a memorandum of agreement between the barangay council and Core Shelter to clarify responsibilities between owners and beneficiaries. Taking the time to go through this process to finalize formal agreements at these different stages has been beneficial to all parties. As an institution we now know the steps it takes to make sure ownership of the structures are well integrated. It also helps the community understand their role and responsibilities as the beneficiaries. We are glad to see that the multipurpose hall is well integrated and that the owners will maintain the building for a long life.
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