Posted on

Goducate provides potable water for villagers in Laguna, Philippines

Apart from providing housing for some families whose homes were destroyed by Typhoon Ulysses (see June 4 blog), Goducate has also partnered with Water Mission International to provide the families with potable water (see blog Mar 12). The completion of the potable water project was unveiled on May 29.

This area, Mariang Bukid, Tagumpay Bay, Laguna, did not have a source of safe and clean water. Some residents would buy a gallon of water for 10 pesos per container. Those who could not afford to buy containers of water had to put up with the water they got from the “poso” (dug-out wells).

Goducate can serve only 30 households per day with potable water because our water tank is quite small. It holds only 105 gallons. The greatest challenge is that many people are uncertain whether the water produced is really clean and safe for drinking. Mr Joy Ibañez, a volunteer with Water Mission International, has conducted some tests on the water and found it safe. However, we are waiting for the results of some microbiological and physicochemical tests of the water that would certify the water to be potable.

Unveiling of the potable water project
*Our guest writer is Rossa Mae Diaz Luceño, a Goducate volunteer.
Posted on

Hand-over Ceremony of Project Silong’s Ten Housing Units

The 10 housing units built under Goducate’s Project Silong were handed over to the occupants during a ceremony held on May 29. The houses were built for some of the people who lost their homes during last November’s Typhoon Ulysses (see blogs on March 12 and April 9).

The houses were built over a period of 8 weeks by members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A , which is led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ledon Monte. The land for the project, at Barangay Tagumpay, Bay, Laguna, was provided by the Local Government Unit led by Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jose O. Padrid.

At the ceremony, the beneficiaries were given the certificates of ownership of their new homes, and they expressed their gratitude. The volunteers too were given certificates and a token of appreciation for the many hours they spent building the houses.

Speakers at the handover ceremony included Goducate founder Dr. Paul Choo, and the sponsor of the houses, Dr. Low Lee Yong, who gave their messages virtually.

The guest speaker and guest of honor, former Regional Director of Police Regional Office 4A (PRO4A) and presently the Sergeant at Arms of the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, Police Major General Mao Aplasca (Ret), and the Regional Director of PRO4A, Police Brigadier General (PBGen) Eliseo DC Cruz, also gave encouraging and inspiring messages.

Even before the ten housing units were finished, an additional unit (still unbuilt) was donated by PBGen Eliseo DC Cruz. As Dr Paul Choo said, “Our journey and partnership does not end today, but it is just phase 1”. Phase 2 of Project Silong is still to come.

*Our guest writer is Donnalyn Pereira, one of our Camp Goducate staff, Laguna.