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‘Submerged’ village comes to life again
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

BOHOLANO farmers who were displaced by the flooding of certain portions for the government’s irrigation project showcase in the Bayongan Dam finally got decent homes, via the Gawad Kalinga Project.

At least 35 new houses built on at least 280-300 sq. m lots funded by the local government of Bohol at P1.5M, P.5M President’s Social Fund (PSF) and labor counterparts from Boholano volunteers erected another testament of the trademark convergence in government and civil society to build decent shelters and model community here.

The new community in Bayongan San Miguel, Bohol is then named President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo-Governor Erico Aumentado Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village were built with the help of GK volunteers here and coordinated by Couples For Christ (CFC), a religious organization.

Bohol, in its dream of nurturing a dependable agro-economy to boost its eco-cultural tourism destination dream has dug for the mega-dams to sustain local rice production and prop-up its claim of the emerging food basket in the Visayas.

The plan unluckily involves submerging certain portions of the province to convert them into waters collectors, and some submerged areas have been tilled and inhabited farmlands, effectively displacing the farmers and their families.

The government through the Department of Agrarian Reform has earlier donated some portions of public lands for the resettlement site and National Irrigation Administration Bohol Irrigation Project leveled the site and put in the waterworks for the community.

Power utility Bohol Electric Cooperative provided power lines while the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources pooled poles and beams for units’ trusses.

In collaboration with the Gawad Kalinga (GK), local governments have also been tying up with President Arroyo’s social funds to build decent shelter for the poorest families since 2002.

With the local government and religious sector participation, the concept of building not just houses but communities as well was come up after CFC puts in its family life apostolate to further strengthen the community.

The President has allocated P30 million from the PSF to the Gawad Kalinga for the construction of housing units for poor families nationwide -- 12 areas in the National Capital Region, 16 areas in the rest of Luzon, nine areas in the Visayas, and 18 areas in Mindanao in 2002.

The construction of houses is by "bayanihan" among the beneficiaries, GK members, professional volunteers and other groups who find fulfillment in sharing their time and resources to help the poor.

A total of 1,000 housing units, costing P300T per unit, have already been completed and awarded to the beneficiaries nationwide. (rachiu/PIA)

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