GK in bantayan: 26 families get free homes

CEBU, Philippines - The Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Bantayan Island was formally inaugurated yesterday initially housing 26 indigent families for free.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario, GK representatives and local officials led the blessing and inauguration.

One Cebu gubernatorial candidate, third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia and runningmate, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. also attended the activity.

Escario asked the beneficiaries to support the Garcia-Durano tandem in 2013 election so that the Province of Cebu would continue giving assistance to the project.

Gov. Garcia extended P3 million for the construction of 20 houses of which the 18 were already occupied by the beneficiaries yesterday.

“I want to extend my greatest thanks to all of you for giving us shelter that we can always be named our home, our own,” said nine-year old Mark Lawaan, who spoke in behalf of the children of the beneficiaries.

He said that because of the project they will no longer transfer from places to places.

GK is eyeing to build 92 houses by next year in addition to the existing 28 houses in the 6,000 square meter lot provided by the municipal government.

“They have managed and done their responsibilities and duties rightly and accordingly by building the Gawad Kalinga Village and for that we should be thankful having good stewards wanted to help in uplifting the five million Filipino families in the poverty line,” said GK area coordinator Chinkee Sabanpan.

Sabanpan gave credit to the Garcias for the support they have extended to the project.

Gov. Garcia also funded 100 units of GK village in Minglanilla and in Dumanjug.

Rep. Garcia in his speech reminded the beneficiaries of their duties and responsibilities of taking care their home. He is hoping he could come back once elected governor  to inaugurate more houses.

GK sets guidelines to avail the housing project such as below poverty line, homeless, must be couple and residents of Bantayan town.—Gregg M. Rubio and Kristine B. Quintas, USJR Masscom Intern/JPM (FREEMAN)