Roxas family donates 7-ha. lot to Bacolod's homeless
BACOLOD CITY -- Senator Manuel “Mar” Araneta-Roxas II, with his mom Judy, donated the seven-hectare property to the homeless families of Magsungay, Bacolod City in line with the grand reunion of the “Famila Araneta”, held Saturday and Sunday (April 18-19, 2009) at Bago City.
The donation was coursed through the City Government of Bacolod through Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia to be utilized as the site of the Gawad Kalinga project headed by its founder Mr. Tony Meloto.
Sen. Roxas and his mom signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr. Meloto and Mayor Leonardia, being the witness to the MOU signing, held at the new government center.
Sen. Roxas said on the occasion of the Familia Araneta grand reunion, they have donated this prime property to the City of Bacolod for the establishment of the Gawad Kalinga housing project for more or less 700 homeless families of Magsungay in this city. “It’s an honor for the Araneta family to give this land to the homeless of Bacolod City.”
Mr. Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga, said it’s a GK dream to build a slum-free and squatter-free Philippines, starting with his hometown, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Magsungay is close to Alunan Baybay, a place where he grew up, Meloto said.
The seven-hectare property donation from Sen. Mar Roxas and the Araneta family will make the 700 families or more or less 4,000 individuals as homeowners and no longer as informal settlers.
He said that on June 12, 2009, they are going to Boston to present to the whole world during the Global Summit of Gawad Kalinga that the Philippines will rise from 3rdworld poverty because “we have now the private sector, civil society and business committee are all working together with the government.”
Mayor Leonardia extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Araneta family represented by Sen. Roxas and his mother Mrs. Judy for this gigantic help to the City Government of Bacolod through the Gawad Kalinga housing project.
Housing is among the biggest priority concern of the city government and he is grateful that the Araneta family and Gawad Kalinga have embarked on something gigantic for the city. This is all because of the blood and origin of the donors who are from Bacolod City and this province, he said.
Leonardia said the city will support whatever the needs of this project wherein Mr. Meloto said that the city needs to support this project by way of providing roads, water and electricity.
Leonardia said, “as the need arises, whatever is necessary and possible for us, we will give the necessary priority.”
Moreover, Mr. Meloto said, this is symbolic now with the future of our country. “I am proud of my city and I want the whole world to know that my city is also gaining its own pride. Our people, wherever they are in the world, will also follow the example of the Araneta family. We never forget where we come from. The families in this country that are blessed will be able to share whatever success and resources that they have to the poor in the towns and cities where they come from.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Roxas and his mom proceeded to Bago City coliseum for the Manolet Araneta Memorial Basketball Cup. Manolet was a member of thePhilippine Basketball Team in the 1948 London Olympics. Sen. Roxas played basketball with his relatives.
Close to 700 relatives from various provinces nationwide and countries abroad attended the Familia Araneta Grand Reunion held April 18-19, 2009.
They were from the Visayas, with a substantial number from Manila and Zamboanga. Relatives from Luzon wore blue T-shirts, Visayas delegates yellow, Mindanao green and overseas red.
Aside from basketball, there was also a “Fun Tee” Golf Tournament at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, and the Araneta Badminton “Cock Play” at the Bago City Badminton Court.