GK discovers Capiceño unsung heroes
Roxas City -- About 200 students from various schools here joined the belated anniversary celebration of the Gawad Kalinga - Isang Milyong Bayani (GK - 1MB) initiative last March 1 at the GK Holy Family Village at Sitio Pamombongan, Milibili, Roxas City.
GK – 1MB is a nationwide mobilization of volunteers who will do actual build in all GK sites in the country. It was simultaneously launched on February 25, 2006.
The 2nd year anniversary of the bayanihan initiative in the province was observed by helping in the completion to the on-going construction of the remaining 12 residential units in the village.
Some students voluntarily contributed an amount for the purchase of hollow blocks and other construction materials during the day-long activity.
"I will treasure and share this heartwarming experience to my family to encourage them to also be part of the transformation of slums into a beautiful community," said one of the students during a sharing activity.
Based on records from the GK Capiz care taker team, at least 29 houses in the village were already fully built and turned over to the beneficiaries. A total of 56 houses are targeted to be built in the GK community.
The provision of decent homes for the poor families is in line with the Arroyo administration's aim to give more Filipinos the opportunity to own homes.
A groundbreaking activity was led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last March 5 in Barangay Pasong Kawayan in General Trias, Cavite to kick off construction of mass housing for 8,673 homeless Cavite families.
The 53-hectare row-type housing project dubbed as "Pamayanang Maliksi Cavite Mass Housing Project" will benefit families with row/duplex-type of houses that will be built on 32 or 48-square meter lots.
Meanwhile, GK's vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.
To date, GK is in over 1,500 communities all over the Philippines. The goal of GK is to build 700,000 houses till 2010. (PIA)