QC, GK donate 36 more houses to poor families

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City government and Gawad Kalinga (GK) handed out titles to 36 more houses to an urban poor community in Barangay Baesa recently, an official said yesterday.

The 36 new houses brought to a total of 325 the GK residences at the 16,204-square meter Sitio Pajo property, which was acquired by the local government from the National Power Corp. in 2007. In the 1960s, the area was known as a haven for criminals.

“This project is a showcase of the city government’s transformative housing and community development strategy, with disaster risk management and upgrading of the quality of people’s lives at the heart of development,” Mayor Herbert Bautista said.

Bautista also turned over a newly constructed multi-purpose building to the community. The city government has already allotted P47 million for lot acquisition, land development, flood control and road infrastructure development at Sitio Pajo.

The city government gave beneficiaries a maximum of 15 years to pay for their lots, measuring 28 square meters each. Each lot costs about P56,000.

Joining Bautista during the turnover ceremonies were Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Rep. Winston Castelo and secretary to the mayor Tadeo Palma. Representing GK was Roger Aldover, project director and head of the caretaker team.