Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, GK provincial head Bobby Magalona, and International Care Ministries represented by its Board of Advisers, Malcolm Wood, broke ground yesterday for another Gawad Kalinga community in Purok Riverside, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City that will start early next year.

The project will provide permanent residence for about 100 families in the area.

Magalona, said the property was donated by Sta. Clara Subdivision to the city government during the Montelibano administration in compliance with the open space requirement. Because of the need of the times, Sta. Clara agreed to waive the area in an agreement with the city government and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board that the property will be developed into a GK community.

Magalona said this long-awaited project is a work of partnership and a work of love between the group and the different sectors, including the church. He said they are starting with the development of 1.1 hectares involving 100 families and the plan is to spread out until they can reach the whole of Purok Riverside. This will concern a total of about 500 families, he said, and the development of the site will start in January 2008.

GK is trying to give the people of Purok Riverside a jumpstart with the help of the different sectors and they believe that with this project, the residents can be already motivated to strive for something better,” Magalona said. He said this project will be a symbol of the care and the love of people for one another.

Magalona also said Convergys has committed P1 million for a Youth Training Center in GK-Purok Riverside to help make the community a showcase.

Leonardia said the area is strategically located and will serve as showcase for GK. “Maybe this is our way of catching up, so to speak. When I became mayor in 2004, I found it ironic that Bacolod City was not involved in GK when its founder was from Bacolod ,” he said, referring to Tony Meloto.

As soon as they could, he said his administration opened a new relocation site after he came into office, he said. A year after, they forged an agreement with GK to work together, he added.

“I'm glad you came and we believe we can now accelerate our housing program. With people like you I'm sure we can do things faster,” Leonardia said. He also said he hopes they could inspire others and increase participation in the GK program, he said.

Purok Riverside president Ignacio Mahinay said he is thankful to GK and others involved in the project for their concern for less privileged people like them.

Nene dela Serna, Purok Riverside assistant secretary, said she is thankful that they have been given an opportunity to own a house and lot they can have for life. She has been residing in the area for almost 10 years, she said.

Meanwhile, Banago Barangay Captain Roel Cordova said the dredger rented by the city from Sipalay started its operation in Purok Mahimulaton, Banago last week. He said it will operate eight to 10 hours when its operation goes full swing.*CGS

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