The document summarizes Don Bosco Calauan's efforts to help informal settlers displaced by typhoons through various livelihood and community development programs. Over 6,400 families now live in the 107-hectare resettlement site, with the population projected to reach 50,000-80,000 people. Don Bosco has established several small businesses like construction, farming, shoe-making and food stalls to generate jobs and income. They have also set up an aquaponics system and converted fallen trees and container vans into useful items to support the community. Don Bosco envisions empowering the residents to become a sustainable community within 3-5 years through these various social and economic initiatives.

1. Don Bosco Calauan
“Bringing Hope to Informal Settlers
Displaced by Recent Typhoons”

2. Sowing Seeds in Calauan
By: Fr. Patrick Villasanta, SDB
“A 107-hectare community owned by the National
Housing Authority (NHA) Office of the President.
This is a resettlement site of more than 6,400
families as of June 2011 who came from various
parts of Metro Manila slums and a big bulk of
informal settlers along the River Pasig. The place
is projected with a population of 10,000 families or
50,000 to 80,000 relocatees at the end of the year
2011. This indeed is a social volcano where
various crimes, vices and other social issues and
concerns can move stealthily, if without proper
education and evangelization pro-grams.”

3. The Site

4. "Remember, God does not pay us for
results, but for effort."
- Don Bosco

5. The Vision
“ … We the Salesians envision the place and people to be an empowered,
sustainable community within the next 3-5 years. We are currently setting-
up a company that may generate jobs and livelihood for our people. ……
We are convinced that part of our socio-pastoral care for the
community/people, we have to device livelihood programs, too that may
bring about work, food at table and most especially ‘dignity’ of their own,
pegged with human & spiritual values and integrated with our Salesian
Culture and Spirituality. The following livelihood projects that are on-going
now:
1. Rinaldi Builders (Construction Work),
2. Caravario Agricultural Development (Piggery & Farming),
3. Zeferin Shoes (Shoe-making),
4. Savio Fun (Children’s Party & Accessories),
5. Cagliero Fudz (Finger Foods),
6. Michael Rua Trade (Job Placement/ Hiring Office)
7. Securo di Magone (Security Agency),
8. Pan di Orione (Bread & Pastry).”

6. In 2012, Don Bosco Pampanga Batch ‘78 initiated a fund raising to set-
up the bakeshop. Orione Bakeshop is now operational. Their staff
deliver bread in the vicinity.
Kenn Ramirez
Of Batch ‘78

8. Can you see this container van?

9. The container vans were
converted into offices for rent!

10. Aquaponics is a food production system that
combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic
animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in
tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in
water) in a symbiotic environment.

11. Small Scale Aquaponics at Calauan
“A commercial aquaponics system. An electric pump moves effluent
rich water from the fish tank through a solids filter to remove particles
the plants above cannot absorb. The water then provides nutrients for
the plants and is cleansed before returning to the fish tank where the
process repeats.” – Wikipedia.
In Calauan, a solar cell is installed to provide electricity.

12. Recent typhoons toppled big
trees at Calauan!

13. Toppled trees were made into quality
furniture
– cabinets, chairs and tables

14. Even the altar
is made from
the toppled
Trees!

15. Fr. Pablo says that in this community, we give respect to everyone
– young and old. We call each other as “Ate” or “Kuya.”

16. A new project: They want to use waste materials – paper,
plastic, etc as mixture in CHB. But they need to test for strength.
This can be a good project for CE students.

17. 1. Immersion programs can be conducted
here.
2. Donations (food, clothes, etc) are welcome.
3. Volunteer work will be appreciated.
4. We welcome partnerships to support our
programs.
"Do good while you still
have time.“ – Don Bosco

18. Fr. Salvador Pablo
0917-532-0527
Email frpablo2003@yahoo.com