Urban Slum Areas

[Lili]

I'm glad we have another posting on this thread. Something more constructive and aligned with nation building and community spirit.


Just a side comment though.

Originally Posted by GreyX

I actually prefer the before picture. The after is too gaudy and loud. Feeling carribean.

[c0kelitr0]

you don't need to spend to help...you can help educate children in schools in GK villages...you can help build homes (very fulfilling i must say)...organize communities to help themselves improve their lives...and lots of things really...GK is all about improving quality life starting with better homes, cleaner environment, better free education, livelihood programs, etc.

[ryanr]

@ Lili - That wasnt a good example. There are better ones, its just hard to find pics.

Here's one from googling

[dancethingy]

WOW, this made my day. Why didn't I know about this sooner?

I e-mailed it to all my barkadas in Chi-town, cause they've been looking into how they can help too.

I've completely given up on our government. I think its the small things we do now that can really make a difference.

[Skyblade]

Originally Posted by dancethingy

WOW, this made my day. Why didn't I know about this sooner?

I e-mailed it to all my barkadas in Chi-town, cause they've been looking into how they can help too.

I've completely given up on our government. I think its the small things we do now that can really make a difference.

Good to know that it was a good idea to bump this thread. This definitely does deserve another lease in life.

Wow, even the smaller players in the world scene are participating in GK! Here's my thanks to the generosity of Malta!

MALTA BUILDS ITS 4TH GK VILLAGE IN JUST 2 YEARS
by: MNTC News Staff

Link to the article

A small country with a population of only 350,000 people, lying 90 km to the south of Sicily and famous for being the island where St. Paul was ship wrecked, Malta has emerged to be one of the most active and committed foreign partners of Gawad Kalinga. Through the efforts of Couples for Christ members, Malta has so far sponsored three Gawad Kalinga villages (two for the urban poor in Baseco, Tondo, Manila and one for the typhoon devastated indigenous peoples of Oriental Mindoro in the island of Luzon) having built a total of 147 houses with 62 more houses to be constructed from their commitments. They are also well on their way to establish a fourth GK Village in the town of Concepcion in the southern province of Iloilo.

Their active commitment started in January 2004, inspired by the way GK was making a difference in the lives of the poor. With a lot of hard work, and a large dose of faith, funds were collected for the first GK Malta Village in Baseco which was inaugurated last November 27, 2004 by the Maltese ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Saviour Gauci.

After seeing the inspiring results from the 2 Malta Villages in Baseco, the group starting raising funds for a third village this time to help in the rehabilitation efforts of Kalinga Luzon. The site of the village was identified as Barangay Balite, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro in the province of island of Luzon. Luzon was devastated by typhoons towards the end of November of 2004 and thousands died. The local government of Balite bought the land measuring 40,000 square meters (4 hectares) for the benefit of the Mangyan residents of the place. The Mangyans are one of the indigenous groups that live in isolated rural communities in the Philippines. The general strategy is to allocate 1 hectare for every 100 families, including communal facilities like pathways, multi-purpose hall, school, clinic, etc. Another 2 hectares are allocated for agricultural livelihood activities, mainly intended for food sufficiency and sustainability of the GK community.

Truly, generosity and love for the poor are not the exclusive territory of big and powerful nations but in fact come from those with big and generous hearts of event the smallest countries.

[ryanr]

Its always a good idea to bump old, good threads

[Skyblade]

HEROIC MAYORS UNITE THROUGH GAWAD KALINGA IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPOWERMENT SESSION
by: GK News Writer
10/3/2005

Not all politicians are corrupt and to be mistrusted as proven by the growing number of local government officials who are tirelessly working towards reducing poverty in their municipalities. Mayors, vice mayors and members of the council from various municipalities from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to Ateneo last September 20 to attend the Gawad Kalinga Empowerment Session on Nation-Building. Three talks entitled, “Bayan” (Nation), “Bayani” (Hero) and “Bayanihan” (Being a Hero to Others) were given to encourage local governments to adopt and support the Gawad Kalinga programs and reduce squatting and poverty in their areas by as much as 30% in the next two years. Pro-administration Senator Ralph Recto came with his son and pledged his support to GK’s work of nation building. He committed to build 50 school houses from his Priority Development Assistance Fund. House Minority Floor Leader and a leading opposition congressman, Francis “Chiz” Escudero was also present to express his support for the uniting work of Gawad Kalinga. He said that he came hoping to shed the usual labels that he is often branded with in political forums and spoke as a patriot wanting to serve the country and help non-partisan private groups such as GK. We hope that through his support, we will soon open GK sites in his province of Sorsogon, home of the majestic “butandings” or whale sharks.

[amras]

maybe we could sponsor an "SSC-Philippines" Village. hehehe.. just a wild thought...

[ryanr]

Thats not a bad idea. If only we can gather enough money and organize the donation.

[Skyblade]

Originally Posted by amras

maybe we could sponsor an "SSC-Philippines" Village. hehehe.. just a wild thought...

Dude...YOU HAVE READ MY MIND! I'm definitely willing to go for this! I've already began planning to save 1k USD to support a house but I'm willing to have this go to the "SSC - Philippines" cause.

[bustero]

Projects like this are what actually keeps the Philippines floating. Since the government is not so effective the private sector has consistently come up with many small prjects which act as a safety net for the poor sectors of society. This raises quality of life substantially but does not show up in development records! Another concrete example of how the philippines is not doing as bad as it really seems. Now if we can get these to the 30-40 million other people in the really poor areas, really big difference.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Skyblade

Dude...YOU HAVE READ MY MIND! I'm definitely willing to go for this! I've already began planning to save 1k USD to support a house but I'm willing to have this go to the "SSC - Philippines" cause.

I read in their website that's the exact amount of a house in Gawad Kalinga.

[Skyblade]

Originally Posted by Mango

I read in their website that's the exact amount of a house in Gawad Kalinga.

That's pretty much where my 1k was going anyways.

[Skyblade]

GK Village in Dumanjug
Link to the article

LAST Sept. 18, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Bitoon, Dumanjug, Cebu to officially launch the J.P. Garcia GK Village.

The J.P. Garcia Foundation, through Severiana B. Garcia, donated one hectare of land to the poorest of the poor residents of Bitoon, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), a work with the poor program of Couples for Christ (CFC), and in cooperation with the Dumanjug local government.

The JP Garcia GK Village is the realization of the last will of the late Jesus P. Garcia Sr. to help the poor families in the barangay.

The event started with a 9 a.m. mass attended by Dumanjug Mayor Baricuatro; CFC Council members Victor Abarquez, Arnel Sacris and Elmer Labatos; GK board members Danny Lagahid, Ruben Capio and Tany Go; and the CFC South Sector 3 headed by Sayong Letigio.

The Garcia family was also present: Jesus Garcia Jr. and wife Armi and Ever Garcia, the matriarch of the family. George Alcordo, who was also present, pledged to donate land in Ronda. Former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia also attended the occasion.

The GK beneficiaries were given an opportunity to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who made their dreams a reality.

The celebration continued with the building of the framework of the first GK house. All who were there once again showed that amidst the modern influence of today’s generation, bayanihan is still alive in each Filipino’s heart, particularly the Cebuanos.

This is proof that it’s not impossible to raise this nation from shame and poverty if we continue to show our care for others. This is proof that every Filipino is a hero.

[tigidig14]

Originally Posted by GreyX

@ Lili - That wasnt a good example. There are better ones, its just hard to find pics.

Here's one from googling

'bat nde nila to magawa sa riles ng tren, it would look nice because tourist comes to the big city first. saka tangalin narin yung shanti sa airport. ah too late lina law pala.

[sandrin]

19 mass housing projects get BOI perks
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 12/05/2005

The Board of Investments (BOI) is supporting the mass housing project of President Arroyo which aims to provide affordable shelter to most Filipinos.

In a report, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said that from January this year, the BOI has given incentives to 19 mass housing projects with a total project cost of P1.29 billion and which has resulted in the construction of 8,483 housing units.

According to Favila, there are six developers that undertook the mass housing projects.

Property Company of Friends, according to BOI records, had the most number of mass housing projects with eight, at a total cost of P456.95 million and which resulted in the construction of 3,365 units most located in Cavite.

The Ayala Group’s Laguna Properties Holding Corp. (LPHC) also developed four projects with a total of 1,101 mass housing units.

The Ayala Group’s housing projects are located in Dasmarinas, Cavite; Naga, Camarines Sur and in Tayabas, Quezon.

Firm Builders developed four projects with a total of 1,339 housing units located in Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

Asiatic Development Corp. has one project in Laguna, while Basic Housing Solutions developed 703 housing units in Mexico, Pampanga.

The 2005 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP), Favila said, had been relaxed specifically on mass housing investments to allow developers to locate projects in Metro Manila.

Phinma Property Holdings of the Lopez Group was the first developer to benefit from the relaxed IPP.

The Phinma medium-rise housing project located in Quezon City is accessible to major malls, schools, hospitals, government institutions, parks and other commercial centers.

The project will be developed on a 1.6 hectare site with a total of 957 residential units with package prices ranging from P575,000 to P930,000.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Elmer C. Hernandez explained that for eligibility for BOI registration, mass housing projects must have a minimum of 20 livable dwelling units in a single site or medium-rise housing.

The cost of each unit should not exceed the cost of low-cost or economic housing as determined by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The HUDCC has set the cost of low-cost housing at over P300,000 up to P2 million.

Only income derived from registered projects are entitled to income tax holiday incentive.

[sandrin]

GAWAB KALINGA is featured in BBC Asia Pacific News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4503048.stm

Giving care' to Philippines poor
By Sarah Toms
BBC News, Manila

Baseco after 2004 fire
Volunteers came together to rebuild Baseco after a fire
On the banks of the brown and polluted Pasig River in the Baseco district of Manila, scores of shacks on stilts jut out like broken teeth.

With no electricity or running water, children carry home large canisters of fresh water along rickety planks of wood.

Two years ago, Baseco was one of the worst areas for crime in the Philippines. It was said that if you could live there, you must be afraid of nothing.

So Baseco is not the sort of place someone like Estelle Osorio would usually be found at the weekend.

The teenager studies political science at Lasalle University, one of the country's best.

But after a fire gutted Baseco in 2004 and more than 2,500 families lost their homes, Ms Osorio joined hundreds of other volunteers to help rebuild.

"Originally I came here as part of a school project. But I think I will come back, it feels really good to be a part of the community," she said.


REBUILDING BASECO
2,500 families lost homes in fire
Takes three to nine months to build 50-100 houses
Each is about 22 sq m in size

In pictures: Working for Gawad Kalinga

Baseco's transformation is the work of Gawad Kalinga, a faith-based, non-governmental organisation whose name in Filipino means "giving care".

Slowly the shacks are being replaced by brightly-painted cottages, each with a small front yard and tidy pebbled pavements.

Gawad Kalinga's vision - of the Philippines without slums - has captured the imagination, support and donations of companies, civic and other religious groups, overseas workers and government offices.

Through donations, Gawad Kalinga supplies money and marshals volunteers from all walks of life - often carpenters, electricians, plumbers and builders - to put up the small cottages.

It has one proviso for someone wanting to move in - they must pay with "sweat equity", by helping to build their houses and those of their neighbours.

The building up of the community also includes lessons in morality and how to make a living, as well as bible classes for children.

Antonio Meloto
Gawad Kalinga's founders now want to expand overseas

Antonio Meloto founded Gawad Kalinga five years ago with his Roman Catholic church group, Couples for Christ, because he was fed up with waiting for others to do the job.

"We simply have to accept the Philippines is a poor developing country and we realise it should not be a money-based development," he said.

"But we have abundant labour and we have a lot of volunteers who are doctors and teachers, professionals, and a lot of Filipinos who are top executives at home and abroad."

With this kind of thinking, Gawad Kalinga has helped transform hundreds of poor communities across the Philippines.

Official links

This should be the work of the government.

But international aid agencies say the government complains it does not have enough money, and is happy to pass some of its duties to groups like Gawad Kalinga.

Co-operation between the government and faith-based organisations is not unusual in the Philippines.

Eight in 10 Filipinos are Roman Catholics and the Church's influence pervades many aspects of life, including politics and social welfare. The Catholic Church, as well as smaller Protestant and Muslim groups, run many charities to supplement official efforts.

Social Welfare Secretary Luwalhati Pablo says her department is working with Gawad Kalinga to rebuild homes for victims of typhoons and floods last year in the north-eastern Philippines.

"The more partnerships we have with different sectors - with the Church, with local communities and corporations - the more we can do, especially as this is for the poor people," she said.

There are some critics of the Catholic Church's influence in society, especially its stand against divorce and artificial birth control.

For the government, Secretary Pablo said, working with Gawad Kalinga means people can now live in better homes with less crime and more harmony.

"It's good for us as the homes are relatively cheap and of course they really build up the people their self-esteem and the feeling of pride in having a nice community," she said.

Rebuilding

Anita Cortez (right) and her husband Renerio
New homes can change lives

Two years ago, Gawad Kalinga launched a plan to provide 700,000 houses in seven years to some of the poorest families in the Philippines. So far, 16,000 have been built.

Now the group is extending overseas, by setting up villages in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Indonesia and India.

In the Philippines, it takes three to nine months to build a village of 50-100 houses with electricity and running water.

At 22 square metres, they are about the size of five ping pong tables.

This may seem cramped, especially when many families have at least five or six children.

But for people like Anita Cortez and her husband Renerio, who moved in a year ago, this is a dream come true.

Mrs Cortez helped to build her house and also took Gawad Kalinga lessons in life.

"It's different from before. My son was part of a gang, but now he's changed," she said.

"My children obey me now and we live under one roof, and because of the environment we are very, very happy."

[renell]

does GK only do house building not mass housing? of course one invovles a lot of manpower while the other can only be hardwork and willingness

[bustero]

I'm not sure how you distinguish your terminology here. GK does mass housing through building of houses with volunteers and donated materials. Not neccesarily mutallly exclusive but am not sure what you mean.

[Skyblade]

This thread deserves another bump. BTW is anyone interested in looking more into the possibility of having the SSC Philippine Forums participate in GK?

‘Balikbayans’ build homes
Link to the Jan. 17 newsbit

SANTIAGO CITY—Twelve Seattle-based Filipinos joined some 100 volunteers in building homes for poor families at Sitio Gunot in Barangay Rizal here as part of Gawad Kalinga Foundation’s project. Mayor Amelita Navarro said the balikbayans stayed here for a week not only to help in the construction but also to prepare gardens for homeless residents. They also pledged to finance the construction of two houses in the village. Villamor Visaya Jr., PDI Northern Luzon Bureau