Gawad Kalinga – an infectious reachout

I visited Sunday the Gawad Kalinga resettlement site in Mansilingan. Workers were rushing to complete more than the 40 houses already finished and occupied. The homeowners, themselves, were doing carpentry work and painting their homes.

Impressive. But there was a thrill of excitement. Project coordinators Bob Magalona and Edgar Abada were engaged in feverish conversation with Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Maranon. The problem – some of the resettled squatters were building two-storey houses.

But there was more exciting news. Several city mayors of Negros Occidental had discussed with the governor plans to replicate the project in their respective areas. San Carlos, Escalante, Kabankalan, Murcia, Sipalay and Hinobaan.

Mayor Sonny Coscolluela of Murcia apprised Maranon and the GK coordinators that the municipal government already had a total of seven hectares which are being readied for possible resettlement of squatters and for municipal employees.

Coscolluela outlined his plans. It was ambitious and down-to-earth. The only difference – the area allotted per house is 70 square meters. It allow the future occupants more breathing space and to enable them to plant vegetables and decorative plants.

I left the officials to interview the occupants of the site. The first were Vicente and Harjiory Ramos from Barangay 8. This is located behind the provincial capitol compound, and several kilometers away from the resettlement area.

"At first, we were hesitant. But we found out that it takes us only a brief time to travel all the way from the Pala-Pala (Fishermen’s Market). We finally realized that it did not deprive us for our livelihood. For that matter, we are very grateful to Gov. Maranon because we have a healthier and more restful place now," was their reply.

The couple, of course, have put up decorative plants around their home. This is multicolored, giving them a sense of identity. The decorative plants are carefully grown by them. They had been taught how to do it by the Negros Garden Club members who also distributed them the seeds.

Then there were Asuncion Pelaez, 59, and his wife, Jelly. Asuncion (yes, that’s his first name) is ailing. A former private driver, he later drove a public utility jeepney. Apparently, based on physicians’ diagnosis, he must have fallen victim to what he calls "pasma."

Unable to resume driving, Asuncion was severely depressed. But his spouse was aggressively optimistic about their future. She enjoys their new found home which "we painted ourselves."

Their children – 29-year old Annalee and 27-year old Angie – are working in the downtown area. "They stay there for almost the entire week and return home on weekends to help us out," commented Asuncion.

There were also several small stores already sprouting. And the expat banayan is contemplating putting up either a tricycle pool or buying a multi-cab that could serve as a shuttle bus for the residents.

There are so far only 40 resettled families. A long way to go to complete the more than 900 houses to accommodate all the displaced families that will have to be moved out from their occupied areas.

But the private sector has responded with alacrity to appeal for help.

"This is the beauty of the project. When the private sector takes up the challenge, prospects of success is boosted," commented Maranon.

The Lions had come up with four houses. And the Rotarians, according to architect Santiago Ureta, had just decided to donate a garbage desegregation plant. And there are many more – from religious organizations, civic clubs, and even schools and students have pitched in to help the resettled families.

One thing very emphatically demonstrated – each community member has become conscious of the need to care for their community. There is that sense of community that is demonstrated by such revival of the Filipino custom of a family asking the other whether they could avail of a "patis" from the other.

There was another touching scene. A couple asked Gov. Maranon to be included among the beneficiaries. They contended that they used to live with their parents.

"Unfortunately, we can accommodate only your parents. We cannot take care of the concerns of every child, much as we wish to," countered Maranon.

Gawad Kalinga officials agreed.

And, there was a problem encountered. Some of the "paying" awardees apparently had a lot more to spare. There were already four two-storey buildings being constructed. And the provincial officials and Gawad Kalinga officers agreed to draft guiderules on buildings as well as code of conduct. Based on the influx of people who gravitated to the resettlement site, soon that will be a tourist destination. And more social scientists may be drawn into the area to study how the Gawad Kalinga concept operates and can help transform people’s mindset.