Ms. Ronadale Zapata
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VP NOLI BACKS HOUSING PROJECTS FOR TALA FAMILIES
27 November 2005



VICE President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) concurrent chairman Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro lauded the unity exemplified by religious groups, non-government organizations, local government units, government agencies and foundations in providing shelters to families of Tala, Caloocan the other day.


About 50 families of Tala, Caloocan formally received their own new house and lots, a project which was made possible with the generosity of Don Ramon V. Cojuangco, implemented through GK, HUDCC, the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Health (DOH), the City of Caloocan, Couples for Christ, A Living For Christ Foundation, and the Don Ramon U. Cojuangco Foundation.


“The national housing program can reach even greater heights at a faster pace if all sectors concerned would unite to achieve the common goal of housing millions of homeless and underprivileged Filipinos,”
De Castro said during the turn-over ceremony for the Don Ramon V. Cojuangco Gawad Kalinga Village.


At the same time, De Castro also renewed calls for a stop to too much politicking, as this would not serve the best interest and immediate needs of the people
like housing.


“Mas marami po tayong magagawa tulad ng pabahay na ito para sa ating mga kapus-palad na kapatid kung magkakaisa tayo sa iisang layunin kaysa kung nagbabangayan tayo at nagtatalo sa pulitika,” he said.


De Castro took note that aside from the newly turned-over housing facility, two other GK villages, the Don Antonio Roxas Chua GK Village and the Holy Rosary GK Village, would be established soon in the area to serve the other families who are still homeless.


“This is a positive development that is worth emulating. Nasisiguro kong sa ating muling pagkikita ay mas marami pang pamilya ang makikita naming may bagong ngiti at sigla dahil sa biyaya ng seguridad at disenteng tahanan, sa mga bagong komunidad na binuo ng pagkakaisa, pagkalinga at pagtutulungan,” he said.


Last February, De Castro witnessed the groundbreaking of the first GK village in Tala as well as the signing of the memorandum agreement for its establishment in support of the project. The Vice President also witnessed the MOA signing for the establishment of the two other GK villages.


 “I will not stop supporting GK housing projects because they represent how God builds houses and put men together to help their needy brothers,” he added.