Gabuc families get new GK houses with the help of LBC Foundation
By: Marlyn Importante
A day after the celebration of National Heroes Day, 20 families in the island of Gabuc, Pontevedra, Capiz finally moved in to their new home. Nanay Regina, shared her original composition during the turnover “Salamat sa Gawad Kalinga na nakadiskubre ining isla, kung wala ang Typhoon Yolanda di kami makaankon sang balay kalinga”. (Thank you to Gawad Kalinga who discovered our island. If not for Typhoon Yolanda, we will not be able to have our own house). The turnover event was attended by Laurence Santiago, Area Manager of LBC Western Visayas and his team, Jessica Yu, GK Head Capiz, Marlyn Importante, GK Partnerships Manager and Pontevedra Vice Mayor Oquendo.
After 45-minute boat ride, the entrance to Barangay Gabuc, Pontevedra, Capiz.
The team is crossing the swamp area to LBC-Sacramento GK Village.
Prior to the event, the group gathered in San Antonio Hotel for breakfast, Sir Laurence recalled his experience during the groundbreaking in Gabuc two years ago, the 45-minute boat ride to Gabuc and few minutes walk to the community is quite a challenge and he cannot imagine how the community manage to transport the construction materials from Roxas City to the area. He said “Kahapon ang Heroes Day, pero hindi na ako maghahanap ng mga hero, dahil ang mga taga-Gabuc ang tunay na mga hero”. During the Typhoon Yolanda, the barangay is totally devastated; the area is providing a shield from typhoons to the rest of Pontevedra. Vice Mayor Oquendo said “Salamat sa LBC, dumarating talaga ang padala ninyo at ngayon dumating ang bahay na pinadala ninyo”.
The community of Barangay Gabuc with their new homes.
Barangay Gabuc is surrounded by water and the communities need to pay attention to the level of water in the river. For others, the calendar is just looking at dates. On the other hand, the Gabuc residents paid attention on the tide times in the calendar. According to Kuya Nonoy, the Kapitbahayan President of Gabuc, “Minsan kailangan naming gumising ng 3:00 AM, maghanda bago pa mag-low tide para makatawid ang mga estudyante at manggagawa papuntang Pontevedra." The life in Gabuc is not easy but having sturdy houses prevents typhoon in wreaking destruction, now they have more peace of mind during rainy season.
“Sa LBC, aming ligaya ang maghatid ng saya at bigyang-kulay ang inyong buhay. After Yolanda, ang mga bahay ay nabuo dahil sa inyong pag-asa”, Sir Laurence said during his closing speech.