GMA releases P10 million for GK house construction in typhoon areas

The Arroyo administration and the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc. will continue to strengthen their partnership with the fresh infusion of nearly P10 million to the foundation for the construction of more houses in typhoon-affected areas, officials said yesterday.

Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Cerge Remonde turned over a check amounting to P9.97 million to GK officials and representatives of beneficiary-areas in simple ceremonies in Malacañang yesterday.

Officials said the amount represents the second tranche of the P40 million financial assistance from the President’s Social Fund (PSF) to the GK.

The PSF assistance would be used for the construction of 615 units of 20-square meter floor area houses in Albay with 200 units, Camarines Sur (180 units,) Sorsogon (75 units) and Marinduque (160 units) at P65,000 per house.

The first tranche of P20 million, released in December last year, financed the completion of 299 housing units and the ongoing construction of 14 more units.

The P9.97 million released yesterday to GK Executive Director Luis Oquineña, as witnessed by Marinduque Rep. Carmencita Reyes, will be used to continue the program with the construction of 150 new houses in the areas.

“This is a continuing effort between the Office of President and GK (since) way back even in the first few houses, to date we built close to 1,700,” Oquineña said.

“We are looking at stronger relations with the government in 2009. We will also be heavily focusing on food security program to mitigate hunger and production and food sufficiency program,” he said.

Reyes said shelter for the poor is an important factor in eradicating hunger.

“If they are given shelter they can commit to food and education of their of children. I am happy that the President has given priority to the housing of poor, this is the first step to eradicate poverty,” Reyes said.       –Paolo Romero