Naga families get new GK houses
Cemex, Gawad Kalinga and partners to build more houses for poor families in City of Naga
CALIXTA “Cali” Solteral wiped her tears with the hem of her shirt as she held the keys to Door No. 4 of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Naga Village in Tapon, Barangay Tinaan in the City of Naga.
Solteral, 36, said she could not believe that after more than 15 years of renting a room in a government relocation site in Barangay Tinaan, they now own a new house in the village.
“Luha sa kalipay ning ako-a. Pasalamat jud ko’g maayo kay naa na gyud mi among kaugalingon (These are tears of joy. I’m thankful that we now have our own house),” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
The Solteral family was among the 15 families who received their keys to their units during a turnover ceremony led by Apo Cement Corp. (Apocemco), Cemex Philippines Foundation, LBC Express, the City Government of Naga and Gawad Kalinga at the village last Thursday morning.
Solteral stays at home while her husband works as a welder. They have five children, two of whom are working students.
Equity
She visited the construction site every day for almost three years to help carry hollow blocks, sand, water and other materials to help workers build their houses.
Targeting to help build 100 units for the “poorest of the poor through sweat equity,” Cemex, the local government unit, GK and its sponsors started the housing project several years ago initially with only eight units.
Now with a total of 23 units, the group is committed to build more houses on the 18,036-square-meter lot owned by Apocemco in Tapon, which is only about 10 meters from the national highway.
“That dream several years ago that we started with then mayor Valdemar Chiong has turned into a reality. We thank God for sending us partners who helped us give you this legacy. Take care of your houses and let’s work together to build more,” lawyer Gina Eala, vice president for human relations of Cemex Philippines, said in her speech.
For her part, City of Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong congratulated the beneficiaries, saying that when stakeholders work together for something that is good for the community, “then no dream is too big to realize.”
“I know that there are many dreams that were realized this morning. Love and be proud of your place,” Chiong said.
In his acceptance speech, Florentino Ordeniza, one of the beneficiaries, said: “God is good. Wa ko kasabot sa akong gibati kay human sa singot og luha nindot kaayo inyong gihatag. Wa gyud mi bisag piso nga naambag ani. Wa gyud mo magkuwang sa tabang (I cannot explain how I feel because after the sweat and tears we have shed, you gave these houses to us. We did not spend a single peso on this. You did not fail to help us).”
GK Visayas Head Toby Flo- rendo said that with 100 twostorey houses, the Naga Village will be the biggest GK community so far. Most projects that GK had undertaken with its sponsors in the Visayas have only about 40, 60 or 80 units, he said.
Florendo told the beneficiaries that now they have received their houses, they should also accept the responsibility of taking care of their community and helping each other reach their dreams.