by Joselito Giron

Padre Burgos, Quezon (5 May) -- The Gawad Kalinga 777 (GK 777) provided the indigents and homeless residents here with the construction of 150 houses in Brgy. Rizal, this municipality.

The houses, according to Budoy Oquiñena, Regional Coordinator of GK 777 were donated by the OFWs working in Saudi Arabia and will be called Gawad kalinga OFW Village in their honor.

There are about 17 communities in this province with GK Villages and are found in the towns of Real, Gen. Nakar, Pagbilao,Sariaya, Padre Burgos, Alabat, Mulanay and Tiaong.

Ruel Cuevas, Prov'l Shelter Coordinator of GK 777 here in Quezon, said that the 1.2 hectare lot was donated by the family of Padre Burgos Mayor Ding Villena. Each house was worth P50,000 and measured 20 square meters each with toilet, a bedroom, kitchen and a living sala.

Many volunteers work for the construction of said houses, among them were husband and wife Sancho Dator and Gertrudez Dator who have four children. Although a little bit sick, Sancho volunteered in the construction hoping he'll be one of those lucky beneficiaries.

Other construction volunteers were members of the Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ from Quezon City, Lucena City, Valenzuela City, Pagbilao, Quezon and Sariaya, Quezon.