Bayani Challenge to build 2,000 houses in Leyte

MANILA, Philippines - “No one is too poor to contribute and no one is too rich that they cannot help” is the rallying cry of this year’s organizers of the GK Bayani Challenge, which aims to build 2,000 houses in Yolanda-devastated Leyte towns, 264 of which will be in Ormoc City.

The challenge was launched at Alang-alang town last Sunday. Ormoc Mayor Edward Codilla shared Ormoc’s experience with the Bayani Challenge, as the city was the site of the first Bayani Challenge held a few years back.

From Malacañang, the Office of the Executive Secretary called on all heads of departments and agencies of the government including government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities and colleges and local government units to participate in this year’s Bayani Challenge.

The aim of  the 2014 Bayani Challenge is to gather one million volunteers to aid in nation building efforts for disaster stricken provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. The summer event, which will run from April 9 to June 12, will have the following activities: building of homes, repair of classrooms, mangrove planting, coastal clean-ups and health missions.

In Ormoc, organizers expect some 10,000 volunteers to work on 264 houses. They will work in batches for a period of nine weeks starting April 9.

The organizers say that at least 2,000 of the volunteers will come from outside Leyte, including 400 from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Lordman Monforte said that aside from Ormoc and Alang-alang, similar builds will be done in various cities and towns in Leyte, including Tacloban, Maasin, Albuera, Dulag, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Palo, Palompon, San Isidro, San Miguel, Tanauan and Tolosa.

This year’s national build is also unique, he said, because for the first time, GK bought land for the resettlement areas.

There will be similar activities in Samar.

The GK Bayani Challenge would be held in four sites: the Rotary GK Village at Brgy. Tambulilid, the first site of the national build, where 104 houses would be constructed; Block 7 of the old relocation site at Brgy. Tambulilid where 100 houses are being constructed by Globe Tattoo; and at Barangays Quezon Jr. and Maticaa where 60 houses will be constructed.

Councilor Pedro Godiardo Ebcas, an engineer, said the new homes are designed to withstand winds of 260 km/hour. The redesigned GK homes cost P125,000 each. The houses in Tambulilid will be taller, with lofts as sleeping places, to maximize the space but will have smaller windows than usual, while those in the two other villages will be bungalow/duplexes.

Not only houses would be built during the Bayani Challenge. The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has committed to refurbish 16 more schools aside from the 20 they previously committed to rehabilitate.

Children’s parks or Paraisong Pambata in the 36 schools will also be rehabilitated. The school level activities will be tied up with the yearly Brigada Eskwela.

20,000 trees will be replanted on 20 hectares, aside from 2,500 mangrove saplings. Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin has committed to sponsor 10,000 seedlings.