-
Compostela Valley Province –— The next wave of Compostela Valley’s advocacy for the poorest of the poor came to Pantukan as it holds its Gawad Kalinga Partners forum at Magnaga Waters Beach Resort, Pantukan on June 10. A total of 45 houses were initially pledged by the GK partners in preparation for the soon to rise Lambo Pantukan Uswag-GK Village in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan.
More than 130 businessmen, private sectors, government and non-government entities in and outside Pantukan came to answer the call and pledged their support. Aside from the units of houses, partners also gave their support through cash assistance and items in kind such as hollow blocks, sacks of cement and nails.
Mayor Juan Celso Sarenas was amazed by how far the GK has accomplished in terms of helping the poorest of the poor. He expressed his gratefulness for the support of the Uswag-GK as it is also one of his vision to provide for homes to the homeless. “We hope to build the houses on August 19-26,” he said.
Others present were SP Members Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Moran Takasan, and Halima Muñoz, Exec. Asst. Macario Humol, Tyrone Uy, Vice Mayor Hajarah Ranain, and other local officials. GK Southern Mindanao Head Rene Rieta also gave the rationale for the participants to have a better grasp and appreciate the GK advocacy.
Meanwhile, the Memorandum of Agreement between the provincial, municipal and Gawad Kalinga partnership was also inked during the forum. After which the group proceeded to the site for the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Kingking.
Led by its GK Champion Gov. Arturo Uy, the Uswag-GK initiative already conducted 7 Bayani Challenge and built 360 houses all over Comval since 2009. (fe maestre/ids comval)