Balikbayans pledge aid to Dagupan

DAGUPAN CITY – Balik­bayan Dagupeños pledged to contribute $50,000 or more than P2 million to the city government for the construction of 30 additional housing units for the homeless families here.

The poor families will soon start building their own homes as 20 Dagupeño couples from the North Bay area in California pooled their resources to contribute to the city’s Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing project.

Alvin Fernandez, city administrator, said the beneficiaries selected by the GK management board shall join the community of the rapidly expanding Gawad Kalinga Bangusville project, which has close to 100 homes.

Fernandez said he is amazed at the outpouring of love and care for the homeless families who have endured living in old and dilapidated shanties.

“I hope more well-meaning kababayans catch the contagion of big-heartedness and benevolence and share their blessings with the less fortunate,” he said.

The program requires beneficiaries to put up “sweat” equity and build their own homes with the support of local and international donors.

Fernandez also said on going construction by pre-qualified owners of five new houses is now nearing completion.