GK houses turned over to 16 beneficiaries in Sooc, Arevalo
Sixteen homeless families in the city now have houses courtesy of the Gawad Kalinga project in Brgy. Sooc, Arevalo district.
The turn-over was held last Saturday. The 16 houses are among the 100 units committed by telecommunications companies PLDT and SMART for the Amazing GK Village in Brgy. Sooc.
The first 16 beneficiaries mostly come from the families of street children.
The duplex type of houses were turned over to Julie and Maria Mandate; Julie and Ofelia Paner; Daniel Parreño; Joemarie and Gemma Agustar; Jobert and Imelda Degabi; Rolly and Marjorie Gadian; Armando and Miame Apostol; Merlita Abarde; Eduardo and Herminia Pineda; Arnulfo and Juvy Agan; Patricio and Analyn Adorio; Silverio and Mercedita Alifonso; Jesus and Melanie Reyes; Jesus and Melanie Reyes; Mauricio and Maritess Oquindo; Julian Ame, Jr. and Bernard Bergantinos.
More than 200 employees/volunteers from PLDT, SMART and e-PLDT call center Ventus, 200 students from Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and University of San Agustin, its partner university, helped in the construction of the houses.
Mon Isberto, PLDT vice president for public affairs said the PLDT-SMART Amazing GK Village in Iloilo City is the sixth nationwide and the second in the Visayas region. The telecommunication company first adopted a GK village in mid-2004 for the fire victims of BASECO Compound in Tondo, Manila. The second one is in General Nakar, Quezon for victims of mudslides and landslides in December 2004.
PLDT-SMART Amazing GK Village were also built in Cebu and in Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao for members of the Iranun tribe. The PLDT also have a project in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija for the families of the soldiers.
Isberto said they are not just building houses but at the same time they are also working on how to provide livelihood program or opportunities for the beneficiaries. He is not yet sure on what kind of livelihood fits the Sooc residents but at present they are contemplating of setting up an internet connection at the site to provide information, access and services to the people. "We are multi-positive," he proudly said.
The project also provides avenue for the telecommunication company to do volunteer work.
On his part, Mayor Jerry Treñas said he has already allocated P9 million for the electrification program for the GK village. The money came from the city's share as mandated by the Epira Law.
The project is not only building houses but it connotes "bayanihan", one of the Filipino values which was lost as time pass by. All the sectors are working together to build the houses. "It is a miracle that brings people together," said Treñas.