Saturday, December 15, 2007 GK, PNB to build houses for indigent Kapampangans
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Gawad Kalinga (GK), in cooperation with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and the Pampanga Provincial Government, is establishing a housing area for the indigents in Lubao town.
Top officials PNB and GK on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement and a deed of donation with Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio at the Executive House of the Provincial Capitol.
The free houses for the poor will be built in a property measuring 11,996 square meters located in Lubao town donated by PNB to the Provincial Government.
The construction of decent housing units for the poor will be undertaken by GK, a social program of the Couples for Christ in coordination with private sectors and local government units concerned.
Among those who signed the agreement with Panlilio were Omar Byron Mier, president and chief executive officer of PNB; Tony Meloto and Rogelio Ramos Jr. of Gawad Kalinga; Florencia Tarriela, chairperson of PNB; Ramon Lim, finance senior vice president of PNB; and Christian Jerome Dobles, senior vice president of PNB.
Panlilio lauded the PNB and GK for their works of love and compassion.
He described GK's effort as "a moment of grace" for the Philippines and the world.
As an outcome of this generosity and sharing, the birthing of a GK community in
Pampanga will soon be witnessed, Panlilio said.
Gawad Kalinga means "to give care", and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world.
GK's vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.
Together with its partners, GK is now transforming poverty-stricken areas with the goal of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in seven years (2003-2010).
At present, GK is in over 900 communities all over the Philippines and in other developing countries.
GK mobilizes partners from government, socio-civic groups, churches and parishes, media, the academe and others to provide volunteer services for the various programs, giving individuals and groups an opportunity to live out the spirit of bayanihan (sharing). (RGN)
