Spirit of people power rekindled

Gawad Kalinga (GK) has rekindled the spirit of the EDSA revolution by waging war against poverty.

A multisectoral partnership that seeks to build millions of houses for the poor, GK launched its own version of people power as some 10,000 students and members of civic, religious, business and political groups converged at the Quezon Memorial Park last Saturday.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., an active GK partner, said the gathering overshadowed anti-government mass actions that took place during the 20th anniversary of the bloodless revolt.

"There were no indignation speeches, only pledges to help the poor," the mayor said.

Joining the mayor at the GK gathering were Sen. Manuel Villar, Ateneo president Fr. Ben Nebres and business leader John Concepcion.

Tony Meloto, GK director, announced that among their main concerns was to help victims of the landslide in Barangay Ginsaugon, Southern Leyte.

"We have a pledge for more than 600 houses for those affected," Meloto said.

GK, in partnership with the city government, earlier built homes for poor families in Payatas and other poor communities in Quezon City.

Similar efforts are being undertaken in towns and cities across the country.

Last year, GK, in coordination with the Department of Social Services and Development and other national government agencies, spearheaded the rehabilitation effort at typhoon devastated villages in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Mindoro provinces.

GK, a movement founded by Couples for Christ volunteers five years ago, has been building low-cost houses for poor communities in various parts of the county.

The group recently launched project GK777, which translates to building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in the Philippines in the next seven years.