At the first Global Summit held in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 12, over 700 friends and partners of Gawad Kalinga came together to share their passion and commitment to rebuild the Philippines and release it from the oppression of poverty. GK founder Tony Meloto observed that one particular group that was intensely passionate and strongly committed to this cause was the corporate partners. This new direction towards corporate social responsibility shows that many companies are starting to prioritize not just profits and progress for themselves but for all.
The Air France-KLM group shares this direction of corporate social responsibility and is committed to ensuring that its profitability grows hand in hand with the promotion of social values and environmental quality. In the Philippines, Air France-KLM has chosen to partner with GK and participate in its vision of transforming poverty-stricken areas through community-building projects.
Together with GK and friends, Air France-KLM will build homes and give shelter to families in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. The houses have been designed to look like Dutch houses, similar to KLM’s miniature Delft blue house souvenirs given to Business Class passengers on board its intercontinental flights. Each unit measures 20 square meters with one bedroom, one toilet and bath, a laundry area, kitchen sink, an un-partitioned space for the dining and living area, and a provision for a loft. Environmental considerations have been integrated into the design. A library donated by a group of Filipino mothers of students from International School Manila will be part of this project.
On Aug. 6, a simple groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site in Bagong Silang. The stormy weather that day did not dampen the spirits of the big hearts that attended the occasion. They considered the downpour as a blessing from heaven. When we arrived, we were warmly met by the lady residents of the community, all bearing umbrellas, who immediately escorted us to their modest multi-purpose hall. The master of ceremonies, Lito Depanes, together with GK coordinator Doc Eric, had prepared a well-orchestrated program that started with a prayer song by the organizers. A dance number by the children touched our hearts. Short inspirational speeches were delivered by Bagong Silang barangay chairman, Cesar Padilla, NHA representative Remy Ollado, project director Jim Bartolome and Kapitbahayan president Nestor Ecle, GK founder Tony Meloto, his son-in-law, English GK donor-turned-devotee Dylan Wilk, and Air France-KLM general manager for South China Sea Ihab Sorial.
Meloto, in his speech, mentioned that 15 years ago, Bagong Silang was the breeding ground of notorious characters and was considered more dangerous than Tondo. Today, thanks to GK and its benefactors, Bagong Silang is a transformed and reformed community. Wilk expressed deep gratitude for the company’s participation in GK’s commitment to nation-building despite the situation of the airline industry being hit by the global economic crisis. Sorial emphasized that this project is not just about building houses or donating money but giving our hearts unconditionally. He acknowledged that corporate social responsibility and contributing to the community should be embedded in every company, just like a heart is embedded in every human being.
The groundbreaking followed, where each of us did our share of shoveling. A delicious native merienda was the treat after the day’s event.
This coming October, an inauguration of the Air France-KLM-GK village will take place to celebrate KLM’s “90 years of inspiration.” Those who would like to be a benefactor in this project can e-mail klm-gk.philippines@klm.com.