LGU hands over eight new houses to GK Beneficiaries

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte (November 24, 2014) – Beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga in Purok Humayan, Barangay Datu Abdul Dadia in Panabo City together with Local Officials, LGU employees, and private organizations celebrated the official ribbon cutting and blessing of the additional eight houses on November 18 Tuesday at GK Village Datu Abdul temporary hall.

Panabo City Administrator Ramon G. Sawan turned over the keys of the new houses to eight couple beneficiaries in behalf of City Mayor Atty. Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. The GK recipients were joined by City Vice Mayor Engr. James G. Gamao together with City Councilors Janrey Gavina, Emeterio Blasé, Renante Bangoy, and Wahid Ranain.

Further, Mary Glen Roxas, a GK beneficiary said, “Dili na ko maulaw karon mangimbita kay naa nakoy balay nga ikapanghambog. Kadtong didto pa mi dapit sa dagat, sige ra mi ug pangandoy nga makabalay. Karon, nakapuyo na gyud mi ug among anak sa nindot nga panimalay." (I don’t feel ashamed to invite people anymore because I now have a house that I can brag about. During the time when we were living near the coast, we dreamt to have our own house. Today, we are staying in a much better house together with our child.)

Moreover, Gawad Kalinga Regional Coordinator Rene Rieta said that having a house does not mean that they are already financially capable. He added that it will just alleviate the poor living condition of the citizens. “Once a beneficiary begin to cope up with his finances and decided to buy a house, he should return the key of his GK house to the LGU,” cited Rieta.

The donors, Outstanding Panaboan Awardee Dr. Helen A. Anajao with the CEO of Panabo City Multi Purpose Cooperative Lalaine Y. Gepaya and Manager of Davao Light and Power Company – Panabo Branch Engr. Reynold B. Felix, graced the program and congratulated the accomplishment of the families in GK Datu Abdul.

As for the future of the village, Chairman of the Committee on Housing, Zoning, and Urban Development City Councilor Hon. Wahid Ranain pledged to create an ordinance which will help form a council within the GK community. On the other hand, Barangay Datu Abdul Captain Allan D. Pangay pledged to extend a PVC-pipe to the village for their water consumption while the President of Panabo United Skills Electricians Association Leo Pontillar pledged to help set up electric wires for free. Lastly, First Councilor Hon. Janrey Gavina donated a jetmatic water pump.

The Gawad Kalinga Datu Abdul Dadia is one of the ventures of City Mayor Hon. Jose L. Silvosa which highlights the significance of the family in the city through giving houses to those who are living in risky areas. It is being taken care of by the Local Government through the GK committee led by Engr. Bernardo Rabanoz with the full support of the GK community and private sectors. Currently, the village is comprised of 50 houses, one day care center, and one hectare of agricultural land. (Michael Angelo A. Resueño, CIO Panabo)