30 July 2015 – Thirty-two (32) new homes were turned over to the families of Barangay Pinasuan, Hernani, Eastern Samar on July 15 by Mrs. Eleanor de Leon who represented the  Build A Shelter Project (BASP), a community-based and Consulate General- led initiative, aimed at building 104 houses in four villages in Eastern Samar and Leyte in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

With the additional repair of eight existing homes, BASP will have a total of 40 houses built in Hernani by the end of August.

Mrs. De Leon expressed her thanks to Gawad Kalinga (GK) for their work on the ground and for including the village in the Bayanihan Challenge last April. She also commended the beneficiaries for the sweat equity they shared to complete the project.  “It is our great joy to see all you, especially these children, moving to your new homes and live with dignity” said Mrs. De Leon.

The beneficiary families took their oath of “Kapitbahayan”, a neighborhood association formed for each GK community.  They expressed their gratitude to Mrs. De Leon and asked her to convey their special thanks to those individuals and organizations in the US who made it possible for them to build homes after they lost them from Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in 2013.  The homes were also blessed by Father Banoy of Hernani Parish.

Mrs. De Leon also unveiled the village marker of the Philippine Consulate General in New York BASP GK Village. 

Hernani Mayor Edgar Boco, Vice Mayor Wilmar Candido, Barangay Captain Leo Candido,  GK Head of Eastern Samar Renato Badilla and GK Coordinator of Eastern Visayas  Kevin Caballero also attended the event

The Build A Shelter Project (BASP) in Hernani was the first of the four Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) signed by the BASP through the representative of the Philippine Jesuit Foundation (PJF) and the Gawad Kalinga Foundation, Inc. on 7 February 2014.

An addendum to the four MOA will be signed to allocate the remaining BASP funds amounting to US$17,556.92 which will be allocated for the water supply  of the three villages in Hernani, Giporlos and Dolores and the repair of the multipurpose hall in Hernani and Dolores.

The BASP village in Giporlos, Eastern Samar has started its site development in June. The local government unit (LGU) and GK has signed its agreement for the construction of the road and land fill of the site. Construction of 22 homes under the MOA signed by BASP-PJF and GK on 12 May 2014 will begin as soon as the site development is ready. 

The fourth BASP Village site in Dolores, Eastern Samar is ready for construction for 22 homes. Canvassing of materials is ongoing to fit with the budget agreed in the MOA signed last February 26.

It may be recalled that 22 homes were already turnover to families in Tanauan, Leyte last April 23. BASP was represented by one of the convenors, Ms. Vivian Cruz.

GK welcomes community initiatives to accelerate social investments and empower social entrepreneurs in these four BASP villages. END