News
PhilHealth Supports Gawad Kalinga Site Development and Beautification Project - April 16, 2008
Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Baseco through recently requested for assistance from PhilHealth for the repair of the portion of the fence and beautification of the GK - Baseco Plaza in Tondo, Manila. A team from PhilHealth, led by Lorna O. Fajardo Acting President and CEO, visited the area recently. PhilHealth employees form two (2) human chains and pass from one person to another the hollow blocks to the actual site of the construction. Even under the heat of the sun the PhilHealth employees enjoyed this humbling task knowing that this will benefit others who are less fortunate.
GK-Baseco Project Director Jun Valbuena (left) ushered the PhilHealth Team to the GK Museum and narrated stories on each of the pictures. He recalled how a couple's quarrel led to a fire, burning all the houses in Baseco. Valbuena also related how he met Lola Dada Torres, a very kind lady with a heart for the poor. Jun Torres, residing in the USA, asked his mother Lola Dada what she wanted for a birthday gift from her children, and she asked not for material gifts but instead houses for the poor. This became a reality when his son Jun arrived from the USA and donated 50 houses worth 2.5M.
In her address, Fajardo said that PhilHealth should regularly take part in similar activities and see what PhilHealth can do to renew the PhilHealth IDs given to Baseco residents in coordination with Vice Mayor Isko Moreno. The GK is a project of the Couples for Christ wherein houses are being constructed through the support of donors and sponsors and the labor being done by the tenants under the supervision of a skilled worker. PhilHealth responded to the request and donated construction materials.
PhilHealth officers Victoria D. Pablo (2nd from left), Manager for Comptrollership Department, Fajardo (3rd from left), Dr. Shirley B. Domingo, Vice President for Quality Assurance Group (in pink shirt) and Melinda C. Mercado, Senior Vice President for Management Services (partly hidden), participated in the human chain passing the hollow blocks to the site where the fence needed to be repaired.
PhilHealth officers and employees did not mind being under the sun and finished painting the plant boxes in the GSK - Baseco plaza.
No less than Fajardo also did her share in the painting job. Even in her corporate attire, she led the PhilHealth team in this beautification project.
Mercado made the most out of the remaining paint by painting the trash cans.
After the tiring but fruitful experience, Team PhilHealth took time to pose with the Gawad Kalinga organizers. (Photos by Nitto G. Pineda, Public Affairs Department)