Laguna Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro, San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante, MERALCO Chairman and CEO Manuel M. Lopez and MERALCO President and COO lead yesterday's ceremonial turning-over of the school building to the Unityville GK (Gawad Kalinga) Village at Brgy. San Lucas II in San Pablo City as part of the Meralco Sibol School Project.

     These 31 Sibol children (aged 3-6) of Unityville GK Village will benefit greatly from the pre-school and educational system that Meralco has pushed in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga. Also present in this simple ceremony were GK National Head for Special Projects Mr. Jose Maria L. Montelibano, GK Provincial Pres. Rudy Talusig, GK National Head Jose Luis Oquiñena, GK CFC (Couples for Christ) Caretaker Team Head Ricky Tan, Kapitbahayan President Mr. Jun Jumantoc, Brgy. Capt. Eddie Aquino, ang other local officials.

     The family of Unityville GK Village were part of more than 300 families living in danger at the Sampalok Lake in San Pablo City, who chose to stay close to their surces of income (mainly fishing). All these families are living in fear since they do not own the houses they were squatting at the lakeside.

     The Laguna Provincial Government and the City Government of San Pablo decided to buy a parcel of land in Brgy. San Lucas II with an aggregate area of 17,000 esq. to be distributed to the displaced families of the lake. The government is planning to restore the Sampalok Lake as one of the major tourist attractions in Laguna. GK launched the GK Breakfast Forum to enlighten various individuals, civic organizations, and non-government organizations and then funds were generated for the initial construction of houses through the GK volunteers. There are 184 families now and 64 houses in the GK Village.

     The project is in line with the Provincial Government’s Sulong Kagalingang Pampamilya family welfare program under the flagship Sulong Laguna 7-Point Agenda of Gov. Lazaro. This also includes Sulong Kalusugan at Nutrisyon, Sulong Edukasyon at Isports, Sulong Agrikultura, Sulong Kapaligiran environmental protection program, Sulong Kalakalan at Industriya trade and industry program, and Sulong Kapayapaan at Kaayusan peace and order program. # (CHRIS SANJI)