3 poor families are Gawad beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines - Another three poor and deserving families in Mandaue City have become beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga project, which is in partnership with a donor company and the city government.

Last Friday morning, Mayor Jonas Cortes and representatives of the Gawad Kalinga, Fluor Corp, the donor company and the people’s organization broke ground for the three additional houses intended for the Balaon, Barino, and Aldea families.

Fluor Corp., one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and project management company offered to construct three houses. Last year they built two houses.

During the program preceeding the groundbreaking ceremony, Cortes lauded the employees of the company for their spirit of volunteerism.

The mayor emphasized the value of giving especially to the less fortunate.

“This is part of our social corporate responsibility,” said German Camigla, general manager of Fluor Corp.

The beneficiaries said they have realized their dreams to have their own houses.

Ernesto Gamboa, coordinator of Gawad Kalinga in Mandaue said some 54 houses were completed so far since the start of the project in 2007, adding there are 13 others under construction. 

Gamboa, the founding president of San Miguel Urban Dwellers Homeowners Association said the donors included alumni of Ateneo de Cebu, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, among others while volunteer workers included some foreigners.

“This is a product of bayanihan and cooperation,” he said.

The site in Sudlon, Maguikay, Mandaue City, built in 2007 by the local government unit, a people’s organization, and a non-government organization, is one of the 16 Gawad Kalinga community housing sites in Cebu.  (FREEMAN)