Gawad Kalinga Leads Typhoon Rehab Efforts
12/08/2004
The tragedy befell typhoon-stricken provinces has rekindled the bayanihan spirit among Filipinos.
At the helm is Gawad Kalinga, which is conducting the rehabilitation effort in typhoon affected areas in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Mindoro provinces in coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies.
Gawad Kalinga, or GK, which was tasked by the President Arroyo to lead the rehabiliation effort has started massive fundraising campaign to help the victims of the calamities rebuild their shattred lives the Kalinga way.
"We have recieved pledges for typhoon victims all over the world," Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga director said. GK, ABS-CBN, The STAR, Ateneo de Manila University, Couples for Christ make up the core group that is now working out an action plan that will rebuild devastated communities and restore homes, dreams and dignity of calamity.
GK, is a movement founded by Couples for Christ volunteers five years ago, has been building low cost houses for the poor communities in various parts of the county.
The group is a growing multisectoral partnership with a vision to address the slum problem in the metropolis.
Most of the benefactors of the GK are big companies and donors from all over the world, particularly the US.
The group recently launched "GK777" which stands for building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in the Philippines in the next seven years."
GK is not only a work of charity, but a mission of nation building and crusade for all Filipinos. It involves every sector of society," Meloto said.
Beneficiaries of GK homes help in the construction of other homes as part of the so-called sweat collateral, which they contribute to the mission.
Apart from low cost housing, GK also undertakes livelihood skills and assistance programs and medical missions. Terence M. Grana, GK coordinator in Quezon City, said that with the rise of GK homes, slmus are disappearing with rich and poor, Muslims and Christians government and the private sector building communities together."
The poor are re-discovering their dreams, and are being empowred to build a better future for their families," Grana said.