Sunday, November 09, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
A powerhouse brightened up the lives of 100 Filipino families around the country. Eveready recently marked the completion of 80 houses in Visayas and Mindanao for Gawad Kalinga (GK).
Forty families from Eastern Samar became proud new homeowners at the official handover ceremony held at the Eveready GK Village in Sitio Libon, Barangay 4 in the municipality of Can-Avid. Eveready’s Junior Product Manager Ivy Nitura, Distributor Business Supervisor Fernan Non and District Sales Manager Norman Roa entrusted each of the beneficiaries the key to their own home. Can-Avid Mayor Gil Norman Germino together with Vice Mayor Alicia Cesista and Child Youth Development Program Manager Sonia Echague were on hand to witness the momentous occasion.
At the Eveready GK Village in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, 40 families also found their dreams of owning their very own home happily fulfilled. Eveready Group Brand Manager Cara Ramirez-Tecson led the turnover ceremony with the support of Impasug-ong Mayor Julia Okinlay and Vice Mayor Pacifico Rivera.
Earlier this year, Eveready built 20 homes for the residents of Sitio Ruby, a GK site in East Fairview, Quezon City. These efforts are powered by Eveready Pabahay ng Buhay, a fundraising program where sales of Eveready batteries will help finance the construction of 100 homes for indigent families under the care of Gawad Kalinga.
“Eveready has been a part of the Filipino household for more than 50 years so we understand the importance of owning a house and being part of a peaceful and flourishing community. Our partnership with Gawad Kalinga powered by Eveready Pabahay ng Buhay reinforces our commitment to making people’s lives brighter,” said Eveready President Esteban Vorbeck.
Eveready Pabahay ng Buhay began as a small fundraising project conducted by the employees of Eveready. In 2006, the Eveready Employees Union successfully raised enough money to build one house in GK’s Tawi-Tawi site. Inspired by their zeal, Eveready decided to match the funds raised, allowing the construction of two new homes. For 2007, Eveready chose to take the Employees Union’s initiative further by sponsoring 100 houses for GK through the Eveready Pabahay ng Buhay program.
“Small things can really go a long way, especially when it is done with the best intentions. It took only one house built on the generous spirit of employees to inspire Eveready to change the lives of 100 families for the better. This is truly a remarkable achievement for the Eveready team,” said Eveready Group Brand Manager Cara Ramirez-Tecson.
Gawad Kalinga is a global movement that aims to transform slums into peaceful and productive communities. In partnership with various multisectoral groups, the Gawad Kalinga’s shelter and community development programs are being implemented in close to 1,500 communities in the Philippines and has already become a template for other developing countries like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Cambodia.
