FROM THE STANDS By Domini M. Torrevillas
In Southern Leyte, there is a 3.5-hectare GK Energy Village with 50 duplex units, a multi-purpose hall and day care center and two elementary schools where livelihood, health and nutrition, values formation, and child/youth development programs are provided. The housing resettlement project was the energy industry’s response to the Guinsaugon landslide that occurred there earlier this year, which dislocated about 1,000 families. The Department of Energy (DOE) and other leading companies in the energy sector raised about P14 million to build houses in Liloan, Southern Leyte, where some of the landslide victims were relocated.
"We chose PNOC-EDC as DOE’s operation arm for the housing project since it operates a geothermal project in Leyte close to the calamity site," Energy Sec. Raphael Lotilla noted when the project was turned over to the residents last June. "They also have the volunteerism spirit. They sent the needed skilled manpower and equipment support to the area within hours of the calamity."
For sure, all these efforts have eased poverty incidence in Eastern Visayas, where 38 of 100 persons are poor. Danilo C. Catigtig, who addressed host communities during the 2006 Report to Stakeholders of PNOC-EDC, rued that the deprivation in remote, upland areas became evident to them as soon as they entered the areas.
It was reason enough to actively participate in the development of communities, he said. "The consistent feedback from the community and positive changes we actually see in their lives are all heartwarming and confirms that we at PNOC-EDC can actually be instruments for change," Catigtig concluded.
To be honored are martyrs/heroes Amado G. Bugay, Delia R Cortez, Dennis Rolando R. Deveraturda, Mariani C. Dimaranan, Lourdes Garduce-Lagman, Haroun Al Rashid Lucman, Cecilia Muñoz-Palma, Magtanggol S. Roque, Teofilo B. Valenzuela, and Ma. Antonio Teresa V. Vytiaco. Their names will be added to the Bantayog’s roster of martyrs and heroes engraved on the black granite wall of remembrance.
The Bantayog chair, Amb. Alfonso T. Yuchengco, will be the guest of honor and speaker.
Other activities to be held will be the planting of 20 trees to commemorate Bantayog’s 20 years of service, and an open house which will show the work-in process at the museum and library rooms of the soon-to-be-completed Senate President Jovito R. Salonga building and the Alfonso T. Yuchengco auditorium.
My email:dominimt2000@yahoo.com