OFW village to rise in Kidapawan City
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) village in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato on Wednesday, May 12.
Initiated by the National Housing Authority, the OFW Village is a housing project intended for the homeless, landless, and underprivileged OFWs living in Kidapawan City who were greatly affected by the 2019 series of Earthquakes. The Housing Project can generate up to 181 Lots with an average lot size of 120 sq. meters (10mx12m).
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Go said that the government recognizes the sacrifices of these OFWs who are currently working abroad in order to uplift their family’s living condition. Moreover, he stressed the need to provide them with support through housing opportunities especially to those whose families were affected by various crises and calamities.
“Sa aming mga OFWs, gusto kong malaman ninyo na narito kami sa gobyerno na handang tumulong sa inyo,” Go said, adding that he continues to push for the passage of his filed bill that aims to establish the Department of Overseas Filipinos to better address the needs of Filipinos abroad and their families here.
Go also filed Senate Bill 203 which aims to provide continuous funding support to implement the major components of the National Development and Production Housing Program in order to make decent housing available and affordable for Filipinos in need.
He also filed Senate Bill 1227 which will provide rental subsidy for displaced families during the interim process of construction of their permanent housing and relocation.
Go reassured the families, who were displaced by an earthquake and other disasters, that they have a government that is committed to helping them get back on their feet as they rebuild their homes and reestablish their livelihoods.
“Dahil nasa gitna pa tayo ng pandemya at sunod-sunod ang mga kalamidad, ang pangunahing prayoridad namin ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ay tulungan ang ating mga naghihirap na kababayan para malampasan nila ang mga krisis na ito,” Go said as he also called for unity amid these difficult times.
“Huwag na tayo mag-away away. Hindi ito panahon para pag-usapan ang pulitika. Kung uunahin natin ‘yan, baka wala na tayong bukas na haharapin. Magtulungan nalang tayo at unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.
During the ceremony in Barangay Kalaisan, Go’s team also handed out meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 68 households, composed of 32 OFW families and 36 other beneficiaries displaced by mud flood and fire incidents, while strictly observing health and safety protocols against COVID-19.
The team gave new pairs of shoes and walking aids, such as canes, crutches and wheelchairs, to those in need. They also provided bicycles, while others received computer tablets for their children’s educational use.
