Kawad Kalinga Housing Project in Sulangon, Dapitan City

With the determined motto of "No More Slums, No More Violence, No More Poverty," the Gawad Kalinga (GK), officially the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation initiated by the Couples for Christ (CFC) has again realized one of its visions on "a slum-free, squatter-free Philippines" providing homes for the unfortunate people in Sulangon, Dapitan City.

The launching of the GK Village in Sulangon was a multi-sectoral partnership project of the Couples for Christ (CFC), Association of Dentist in Chicago, the Local Government Unit of Dapitan City (LGU - Dapitan) headed by Hon. Dominador G. Jalosjos Jr., City Mayor of Dapitan; Hon. Patri Bajamunde Chan, Dapitan City Vice Mayor and the honorable Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP) Members with the cooperation of Jose Rizal Memorial State College (JRMSC) Graduate School, National Service Training Program - Reserve Officer Training Course (NSTP - ROTC) and the College of Education, headed by Dr. Edgar S. Balbuena, President of JRMSC System.

Sulangon community
benefits GK Project

The Ground Breaking Ceremony of Gawad Kalinga commenced the launching of GK Village in Sulangon, Dapitan City last July 8, 2007.

The ceremony began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem led by Dr. Narcisa S. Bureros, Dean of the College of Education in Jose Rizal Memorial State College (JRMSC), Main Campus, Dapitan City, which was then followed by the doxology conducted by Bro. Dado Cagbabanua & CFC Singing Ministry.

Hon. Adora H. Recamara, Barangay Captain of Sulangon, Dapitan City, delivered her welcome address which formally opened the ceremony.

Afterwards, Hon. Dominador Jalosjos, Jr, Mayor of Dapitan City; Engr. Vigilus Credo, CFC Provincial GK Head; Dr. Pacita Franco, Representative of Association of Dentists in Chicago and Dr. Evelyn R. Campiseño, Vice President of Planning, Research, Extension and Special Concerns of JRMSC delivered their words of commitment.

The heads of partner agencies with Engr. Eleuterio Galleposo, Dapitan City Engineer; Engr. Gildardo Cagbabanua and Engr. Oscar Ogarte spearheaded the laying of the covenant capsule.

Bro. Hermanico Malacat was the master of the ceremony.

GK Village constructed

SULANGON, DAPITAN CITY - Laborers together with the JRMSC - NSTP - ROTC & Naval Cadets and CED Students, have started constructing housing units for some indigent families last July in a Gawad Kalinga Village here.

The project started from a belief that "poverty breeds crime, violence, despair and hopelessness." But organizers believe there is more to fighting poverty than buildinghouses. The construction of houses and other support facilities commenced shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony last July 8.

The GK Village is being put up in a 3-hectare property estimated to 1.8 million minus the labor which is 40% of the total.

Dr. Pacita Franco, Representative of the Association of Dentists in Chicago, expressed gratitude to the Local Government Unit of Dapitan and to the JRMSC for helping the CFC in realizing the housing project.

In response, LGU - Dapitan is very much willing to share its properties to the poor people.

For his part Hon. Adora H. Recamara, Barangay Captain of Sulangon thanked the foundation and the LGU with the help of JRMSC Graduate School and other subordinates for establishing the housing site (GK Village) in the area.