Rebuilding the lives of the many displaced residents in Leyte due to typhoon Yolanda begins as GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) starts construction on two Kapuso Villages in Tacloban and Palo.
The groundbreaking ceremonies of the Kapuso Villages, one in the city of Tacloban and the other in the municipality of Palo, were held last January 21.
In partnership with the local government units and the National Housing Authority (NHA), GMAKF’s Kapuso Villages will serve as resettlement areas for the residents of Tacloban and Palo who were displaced by Yolanda last year.
GMAKF EVP and COO Mel C. Tiangco led the groundbreaking ceremonies together with NHA represented by its Regional Project Manager Engr. Rizalde.
Joining them were staff and officers of the local government units – in Tacloban, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, barangay chairpersons Hon. Alden Villarmino of Barangay Sto. Nino, and Hon. Emilita Montalban of Barangay 88; and in Palo, Mayor Remedios L. Petilla and Leyte Vice Governor Hon. Carlo Loreto – as well as the beneficiaries of the project.
Driven by its mission to uplift the lives of underprivileged Filipinos all over the Philippines, GMAKF’s housing project aims to provide indigent victims of Yolanda with sustainable permanent shelter that could withstand future calamities. "The donations entrusted to us by the many compassionate and concerned citizens from all over the world will materialize into a wonderful new beginning for the families here in Leyte," shares Tiangco.
Former residents of Barangay San Jose in Tacloban will be given priority for the 400 houses that will be built in the Kapuso Village in the area. Furthermore, GMAKF hopes to foster learning among the youth with the construction of 20 new classrooms within the village. The construction site stands on a 3.5-hectare plot of land donated by the city government of Tacloban.
Meanwhile, the relocation site in Sitio Caloogan, Palo will have 200 houses and 10 classrooms which will be allocated to former residents of Barangay San Joaquin, Barangay Baras and Barangay Guindaponan. The site is situated on approximately 2.5 hectares of forest land.
For details on how to contribute to the GMA Kapuso Foundation’s projects, you may visit their website, www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation.