Kalinga Luzon, a big government-initiated project aimed at rehabilitating and reconstructing typhoon-ravaged areas in Luzon, was launched in Malacañang the other night.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo graced the launching of the project initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Ateneo de Manila University, ABS-CBN, Red Cross, and the Gawad Kalinga.
Its objective is to go beyond the relief stage and work out an effective program to rehabilitate and rebuild affected communities in close coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) and the multi-efforts of the government.
The goal is to rebuild the homes, families, and communities of Luzon typhoon victims. The initial target is to build 2,500 homes by June 2005 and 40,000 houses by the end of the year 2006.
The pilot sites for the six-month development plan of building 2,500 houses are Dingalan, Aurora; Gabaldon, General Tinio, Cabiao, and San Isidro, Nueva Ecija; Roxas, Mansalay, Naujan, and Bongabon, Oriental Mindoro; Real, Infanta, and General Nakar, Quezon; and Tinambac and Calabanga, Camarines Sur.
The President was presented with a model house for the storm victims which will cost R50,000 to construct during the program.
Former President Corazon Aquino gave an inspirational message at the launching. Also present were Senator Richard Gordon, Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman of the DSWD, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., chairman of the NDCC, and Manuel Pangilinan, Smart-Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) Chairman.
