In their
sincere support to government's housing program
VP NOLI LAUDS TRUE NGOs
16 May 2006
VICE President and
Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council (HUDCC) concurrent chairman Noli 'Kabayan' De
Castro gave
recognition to genuine non-government organizations (NGOs) who are
sincere in
giving assistance to the government in building shelters for the
informal
sector.
According to De Castro, true NGOs are those that identify
problems and offer solutions for them as opposed to those dubious
entities that
make a racket out of government projects for the poor.
During the MOA signing for the Pulis Kalinga Special Housing
Project in Camp
Macabulos
in Tarlac yesterday, De Castro
said NGOs are supposed to help the government in pushing the country
towards
development.
He said many NGOs like the Gawad Kalinga (GK) headed by Tony
Meloto have earned the merit of being 'true' NGOs precisely because
they make
substantial contributions to the national housing program that benefit
the less
privileged members of society.
“I admire the accomplishments of Gawad Kalinga which has
helped us in providing shelters for the homeless. But what's more
interesting
is that they continue to work hard without any complaints. Maybe they
really
love what they're doing," De Castro said.
On the other hand, De Castro expressed disappointment over
several NGOs that are making a career or a profession out of amplifying
problems instead of becoming solution providers for the troubled-filled
Filipinos.
"Our nation needs solutions for our dilemmas and
shouting or staging rallies on the streets won't really help, De Castro
said.
Thus, the Vice President urged all NGOs to share the vision
and goals of real NGOs that, according to him, were actually formed to
assist
the government in nation building.
"Para sa akin, ang adhikain ng pagtutulungan ang
nag-uugnay sa pagitan ng NGO at gobyerno para makamit natin
ang hinahangad na
kaunlaran. Pinatunayan ito ng Gawad
Kalinga at ng mga shelter agencies sa tulong na rin ng mga
local government units. Sa aming pagtutulungan,
ikinagagalak kong sabihin na marami sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan
ang
ngayon ay may sarili ng tahanan at panibagong dangal at dignidad," he
added.