Globe, Gawad Kalinga Rebuild 100 houses in Ormoc

Globe, with deeply-rooted partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), provided holistic cooperation and shared nation-building efforts to rebuild houses for super typhoon Yolanda victims in a GK Village situated in Brgy. Tambulilid in Ormoc, Leyte.

Globe Tatto-Rotary-GK Village project is said to be Globe’s first housing project after the typhoon devastated areas in the Visayas last November 8, 2013. The initiative is estimated to cost P15 million, of which P10 million went to the construction of 100 houses for beneficiaries, while the remaining P5 million, will be allocated for the sustainable livelihood program for the community.

Globe Telecom President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu said that apart from the P15 million initial support from the mobile and home broadband brand Tattoo, an additional P1.2 million was raised, which were donations from Globe executives and brand ambassadors during a fund raising event in Globe Tower, Manila.

According to GK executive director Jose Luis Oquiñena, the houses built cost P125,000 each, and will measure 21 square meters in area. It will also comprise of a loft space measuring 10 to 12 square meters.

RELOCATION SITE

The relocation site where the GK Village is located was donated by the Rotary Club of Ormoc not only for the Yolanda victims but also for the 1991 Ormoc flash flood survivors.

“This is a relocation area donated by the Rotary Club of Ormoc for them and when Yolanda came, they lost their homes. Now our aim is to build a sustainable community which we will call Globe-Rotary-GK Village,” Oquiñena said.

GK’S ‘LIVELIHOOD’ PROGRAM

Oquiñena said that the beneficiaries of the Globe sponsored houses will also be involved in GK’s livelihood programs, which includes hollow block making where the recipients can sell the hollow block they make at P9.50 per piece.

Oquiñena also added that he looks forward to having some land areas near the village, where residents can grow plants that can be used for beauty care products under the Human Nature brand.

Human Nature produces and sells organic toiletries and personal care products.

Jerome Yntig, Globe External Affairs VisMin head doing hollow block molding. (Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)

REBUILDING

Globe’s top executives, brand ambassadors and employees themselves initiated the construction work on the site of the village project last February 4, 2014. The Globe team divided themselves into six to delegate each team into different construction tasks: hollow blocks piling, roof painting, sand screening, hollow block making/molding and house wall painting.

Oquinena said the houses will be finished by the members of the village, who will get to own these units.

Photo above: Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu shakes hands with GK Executive Director Luis Oquinena during the Tattoo-Gawad Kalinga Village market unveiling last February 4, as Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla looks on.(Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)