To further help improve the lives of the family beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing project, the Dagupan city government and the Couples for Christ (CFC) on February 27 signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the University of Luzon (UL) for the establishment of a community extension services program.
The MOA was signed by city administrator Raffy Baraan, UL president MacArthur Samson, Sr. and GK provincial director Manny Casupang.
Under the agreement, the University of Luzon shall provide GK-Bangusville beneficiaries with community extension services, projects and activities that include, among others: conduct of livelihood and skills training, basic literacy, promotion of arts and culture, upholding of human rights, professional and consultancy assistance, advocacies and information drives, orientation on business operation and management, health resource development, public order and safety, and infrastructure development.
Complementing the program is the construction of a skills and training laboratory that measures 5 by 8 square meters at the GK site in Bonuan Gueset.
It was learned that the planning and design of the laboratory is now being underscored by the architects and other professionals of the university which then will be forwarded to the national GK office for its eventual approval.
According to Carmelo Vidal, director of the center for integrated extension services office, working hand-in-hand with the program are purpose-driven students, teachers, and staff of the university.
“Like all successful projects in the city, the Gawad Kalinga could not have been achieved without the support of some institutions and groups who were more than eager to give their share of assistance. I hope the university of Luzon will also inspire other sectors to also contribute,” Baraan stressed.
“We really admire the GK project that’s why we went into partnership with the city government and CFC to take the opportunity of being of help to the underprivileged citizens of Dagupan,” Samson said.
In a related development, it was learned from city agriculturist Emma Molina that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will donate additional funds to take care of the livelihood component for the family beneficiaries.
Molina bared that the fund will be used to set up a tilapia pond and vegetable garden. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)
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