The theme is “Pilipinas, Ngayon Na!”
That is why 120 houses are expected to be built in the 5th Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge in Amlan, Negros Oriental, from April 9 to 14.
Event head Roslyn Tambago said priority beneficiaries of the GK houses are victims of tropical storm “Sendong” in barangays Tambuhangin and Amlan. She added that 2,000 volunteers from the locality and overseas, such as the USA, Australia, Singapore, and Cambodia, are expected to register for the activity.
The new community of 120 families will be built on a three-hectare lot in Tambuhangin, provincial GK head Cidni Mapa said.
Amlan Mayor Bentham dela Cruz said 41 houses were destroyed by Sendong. The town is applying for a P10-million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines, P4.5 million of which will be for the purchase of the lot owned by the Oyson family in Tambuhangin.
Aside from Amlan, the simultaneous building of communities will also be held in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Misamis Occidental and Masbate, where 10,000 volunteers are expected to gather, not only to build houses, but also to preserve the environment through coastal cleanup, mangrove and tree planting.*JG
back to top |