GK volunteers build houses in Zambo, Sulu
BY ROEL D. PAREÑO
Philippine Star Correspondent


ZAMBOANGA CITY - - A new covenant of brotherhood among Filipinos will be forged where old fears and prejudices are set aside to find lasting peace and build a nation.

This is the driving force behind Gawad Kalinga’s mission in building homes for the poorest of the poor in Mindanao with a target to finish sixty-two houses in five days.

A total of 800 volunteers from 51 teams of GK converged here and started building homes last Monday in an uphill village west of this city.

The 62 houses to rise up in five days in Tulungatung village resettlement site is part of the house-building event of the GK1MB (Gawad Kalinga 1 million bayanis) Bayani Challenge.

The builders who came from all over the Philippines, Australia and Singapore arrived in this city for this year’s Bayani Challenge  and converged at the 42-hectare housing site for the poor residents of this city.

The 62 houses to be completed is under the  GK’s Bayani Challenge.

The Bayani Challenge and Highway of Peace are annual major events of GK where it mobilize partners and volunteers to organize themselves in a team of 15 persons in build in a designated area together.

GK volunteers have been in Zamboanga and Sulu  from April 13 to 18 building houses for the poorest of the poor and forming new relationships in Tulungatong in Zamboanga and Panglima Estino in Sulu.

 City Mayor Celso Lobregat who spearheaded the opening of the project described the challenge put by the GK as tough one.

“But with your dedication and commitment it will be fulfilled,” Lobregat told the builder-volunteers, he called the “legions of patriots” who have traveled far just to heed calls in helping the poor despite of the diversities of cultures.

Lobregat underscored the dedication and compassion to fellowmen showed by the volunteers would unify and brings peace among the Filipinos.

“As you share in the effort to build houses, homeless families will be awakened and encouraged by your sense of hope, unity, determination and strength to face all challenges and inequities,” he said.

Defying great odds and danger, the GK Team  will also proceed to Sulu led by  twin brothers Luis and Mari Oquinena  who took the navy boat on Easter Sunday with 300 GK volunteers who will build houses for their Muslim counterparts under the guidance of Mayor Munib Estino.

“It is fitting that 300 brave new Christians are now traveling to Panglima Estino, Sulu to build homes with our old Muslim brothers,” said GK advocate Maria Montelibano.

“This new covenant of brotherhood among Filipinos where old fears and prejudices are set aside to forge radical ways to find peace and build a nation,” said Montelibano.

Together with the builders from Sulu, a hope summit will happen in Tulungatong to be attended by the Catholic clergy, usdstadz, muslim leaders, military and volunteers.

This year’s theme for Zamboanga is Mi casa estucasa! ( My home in your house and only for the brave for Sulu, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications are major partners of GK’s Bayani challenge and Highway of Peace.

Tony Meloto, founder and father of GK went to Sulu on Wednesday to join the 300 volunteers in building houses for the poorest of the poor. After a courtesy call on Governor Sakur Tan, he visited the two GK sites in Parsugpatan and Panglima Estino.

He also stayed with Mayor Munib Estino.

Meloto also met with  Gen. Juancho Sabban and Gen. Boying Ecarma.

GK has 1,700 communities all over the country. Each GK village has at least 30 houses.

With the continuing support of partners from national and local governments, corporations, funding institutions, academe and the students, GK  said its Vision 2024 will transform 5 million poorest of the poor Filipino families to become productive members of their communities.

GK has become the movement for nation building where volunteers buy in on the Filipino dream to make the Philippines First world with world class citizens.