by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four hundred sixteen housing units are set to rise in a scenic area in Barangay Tulungatung for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) as Gawad Kalinga (GK), partners from the government and private sectors, and different volunteer groups started the construction last week through the Bayanihan Challenge.
GK Executive Director Luis Oquiñena said, “We will build 416 houses here. Not just houses but beautiful and permanent houses for our IDPs. We also hope that the children who will live here will grow old in peace and productively. We teach and build peace and build future full of hope for the kids.”
GK initially committed the construction of 100 units. The rest will be funded through partnerships with other organizations.
Oquiñena emphasized the crucial role of “Bayanihan” in making things happen for those who are in dire need of assistance.
“Victims should expect help from fellow Filipinos...in times of need. We just need to do what is right. I know somebody up there will orchestrate the bayanihan,” he stressed.
Oquiñena promised that they would not stop “until the work here is finished” saying “tatapusin natin to at di iiwanan (let’s finish this and never leave it unfinished). We will finish this the soonest possible time,” he said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is also one of the biggest partners of GK in building homes all over the country with engineering personnel volunteering to build the houses.
Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero assured everybody that they are ever ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
“Lagi pong nakahanda ang inyong AFP sa pagtulong upang ibangon ang mga biktima ng 2013 Zamboanga siege (Your Armed Forces is always ready in helping the victims rise again from the tragedy brought by the 2013 Zamboanga siege),” he said.
He also thanked all volunteers for giving their time and effort to help build homes for the IDPs.
Philippine Information Agency Director-General Jose Mari Oquiñena, a product of GK himself, said the secret to the success of helping is unity among Filipinos, as he encouraged everybody to never stop caring for others.
“Napatunayan po natin na kayang magkaisa ng mga Filipino lalong lalo na po sa mga ganitong pagkakataon... Wag mang-iwan, wag magpaiwan, at walang iwanan” (We have proven that we, Filipinos, can unite especially in this kind of situation. Never forsake others, do not be left out, no one is left behind),” he said.
