The Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) headed by Gov. Teresita S. Lazaro, through the Provincial Urban Development and Housing Office (PUDHO) headed by Mr. Vivencio G. Malabanan, together with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Program of the Couple’s For Christ (CFC) recently held the groundbreaking ceremonies of another Tahanan Sa Laguna (TSL) socializing project in Brgy. Dela Paz, Biñan, Laguna. The undertaking was attended by Gov. Teresita S. Lazaro; Mr. Rodolfo Talosig, the provincial head of Gawad Kalinga; Ms. Jass Alonte, the representative of Biñan Mayor Hermis Perez; Biñan municipal councilor and former Provincial Board Member Gat-Ala Alatiit; Dela Paz Barangay Captain Alfredo Arcega; and some of the Barangay Kagawads of the host Barangay.

     Highlights of the groundbreaking ceremony include the laying of the time capsule of the project and a speech by Gov. Lazaro, as she lauded the partnership and efforts of the government and the private sector in working hand in hand for alleviating the housing problems of the Lagunenses.

     The lot area of the said housing project is projected to generate 150 home lots that shall be distributed to the beneficiaries of the socialized housing project named SIKAPVILLE. The residents will now comprise the newly formed SIKAPVILLE Homeowners Association Inc. The beneficiaries are from the different barangays within the municipality of Biñan. Majority of which are families facing eviction and demolition from the lots they are presently occupying, and those living along the Philippines National Railways (PNR). The Couples for Christ, through their Gawad Kalinga Program shall be providing free houses for the qualified beneficiaries while the PUDHO shall provide technical and community organizing assistance for the purchase of the land of the project.

     A testimony was given by one of the recipient, Mrs. Gina Velarde wherein she related the numerous hardships they had encountered in the realization of their dream. As she told her story, she related their constant fear, including the other families’ concerns as they all face the threat of eviction from the houses they were once occupying. A clear and bright future looms, as Mrs. Velarde and her neighbors became residents of SIKAPVILLE having the right to own the houses they are now occupying. For her, God works in mysterious ways as the Laguna Provincial Government through the Provincial Urban Development and Housing Office, together with the Gawad Kalinga became God’s instruments in their pursuit of change in the fulfillment of their aspirations. “Indeed, God is good!” Mrs. Velarde added.