Quezon City, Gawad Kalinga to build houses in Payatas

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government has partnered with the Gawad Kalinga Foundation to build a housing project in Barangay Payatas that will include as beneficiaries the families affected by the city’s rehabilitation program in the area’s controlled disposal facility.

A 973-square meter property at the Lupang Pangako area, donated by Sandra Rovero Cox, will be the site of the project.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding with Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga and officials of the IPM Group of Companies to implement the project.

Under the agreement, all the three partners will contribute to the development of the housing project, including beatification efforts and the capacity-building of the recipients.

As provided under the agreement, the city government shall provide beneficiaries with basic services.

The implementation of the project came as a senior official from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) commended the Quezon City government for transforming Payatas into a controlled disposal facility that is a shining example of sustainable waste management.

“Among many changes that required to make green industry happen is leadership, what he (Mayor Belmonte) has done to Payatas has not only benefited the environment but it also literally transformed Quezon City into a new community where even scavengers are an integral part of the solid management stream,” UNIDO secretary general Kandeh Yumkella said.

Belmonte said Yumkella’s observation was an offshoot of the various improvements instituted by the city government to ensure the operational efficiency of the Payatas controlled disposal facility. - Perseus Echeminada