GMA Kapuso Foundation to build houses for Sendong victims

Newscaster and GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) Executive Vice President Mel Tiangco announced that the foundation will have a resettlement project for Typhoon Sendong victims in Mandulog, Iligan City.

In a press conference on Wednesday, February 15, Mel, together with GMAKF officers, said construction on the resettlement area will start in March. Two hundred units–which will take an estimated ten months to build–will be put up for affected families.

“We are going to build our resettlement area very soon in Mandulog, Iligan City. Napakarami pong nagdonate noon sa Sendong. We have about 60 million to spend for the victims of Sendong,” Mel said.

Since GMAKF plans to build a community in Mandulog, the project also consists of a barangay center, water system and school. It is being undertaken in cooperation with the local government, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“Gusto namin yung project that will have an impact in their lives. It’s holistic, we’re building a community,” Mel said.

Heartwarming

The foundation was already scouting for a resettlement area while doing relief operations and giving medical assistance in Iligan City. Mel shared that she got heartwarming responses from Sendong victims.

“Tuwang-tuwa sila. Sabi nga nila sa buong buhay raw sila nangarap na magkakaroon sila ng sarili nilang bahay at lupa. But now they will have one once this is done.”

Use and ownership of the houses will be subject to rules the committee–composed of NHA, DPWH, the local government, barangay and DSWD–set. The said committee screens eligible families.

“Number one sa criteria na yun ay dapat Sendong victim sya. We’ll be strict with those rules. Sendong victims na talagang washed out ang bahay,” she said.

GMAKF stresses integrity and transparency. So it informs donors about where their contributions go. According to Mel, donations are allocated specifically to where the donors want them to be used.

“Kung ano yung gusto ng donor, dapat susundin mo yun. Sometimes the public doesn’t understand that, but that’s respect for the donor.”

In the spirit of the network’s mission “Serbisyong Totoo,” the foundation helps people in need and acts as a bridge between donors  and volunteers.  Even though they don’t have much fundraising activities, the foundation receives lots of donations, thanks to the credibility it has established.

“I do what I preach, I walk my talk,” Mel said.

Very strict

She shared that the foundation is very strict in using cash donations since it wants to keep donors’ trust. The foundation also makes sure it keeps its expenditures minimal to serve more people in need.

“Ang foundation ng aming trabaho is integrity. Since our funds are donated, we have to be careful with that. We put much importance sa trust na binibigay sa amin ng mga donors,” Mel states.

She adds, “Importante na malaman rin ng public kasi maraming donors and we want them to know kung saan napupunta ang pera nila.”

Other GMAKF projects are Kalusugan Karavan, Kapuso School Foundation, Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan, Give-a-Gift and Operation Bayanihan.