We were invited by Gawad Kalinga to witness the turn over of 20 houses in Banago to the corresponding beneficiaries at 9:30 in the morning of Sunday, October 25, 2008 with Mayor Bing Leonardia as the guest of honor. The founder of Gawad Kalinga Tony Meloto was unable to attend the occasion, as he is in Canada with former President Fidel Ramos meeting with the Filipino community there to raise funds for Gawad Kalinga's Projects. The goal of Tony Meloto is that the Philippines will be squatter free. The theme being walang Iwanan ” which means no one is left behind.”

The Gawad Kalinga project will erect 500 housing units in 5 hectares of land in Banago donated by Mr. Manny Lacson of Santa Clara Estate. Each house will have a floor area of 24 square meters and a lot area of 63 square meters and costs P75,000 each. The city of Bacolod develops the land and drainage of the site, and Gawad Kalinga is responsible in the selection of beneficiaries for the housing project. The main donor of Gawad Kalinga, International Christian Mission have expatriate members from Hong Kong who come to Bacolod from Friday to Sunday to supervise building and actually build the houses.

Bobby Magalona, Provincial Head of Gawad Kalinga for Negros Occidental in his discourse said that they are working together with people from different faiths and nationalities with the universal principle of eradicating poverty. He thanked the members of The International Christian Mission, a protestant group for their support and all those present at this significant occasion.

Beneficiaries and Guests including Francisco Yeneza of
International Care Ministries CEO and Bob Magalona, Provincial Head GK

L-R Anna Balcells, Aming Gatuslao, Lanie Belle Javelosa and Yoli Ballesteros

Edgar Sarona, GK beneficiary

L-R Lanie Belle Javelosa, Aming Gatuslao, Yolly Kilayko and Nena Rosello