FPIC Marks Foundation Day With GK Build

FPIC Marks Foundation Day With GK Build

First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC), in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, built two houses in the GK Kalayaan site in Barangay Balagtasin, San Jose, Batangas on June 30, 2006.

At first we thought the activity would not push through as it was raining heavily that week. Luckily, on the day itself the sun was shining brightly as if showing its support for the company’s endeavor to provide housing for our underprivileged kapamilya.

The beneficiary families were very hands-on in helping build the houses, with the other members of the community also pitching in. GK Kalayaan now has 18 houses and a mini store, with a daycare center soon to rise for the young members of the community.

It was a worthy endeavor as the program not only provides housing for the families. FPIC provided shelter, which Gawad Kalinga will supplement with programs in health, child and youth development, productivity, community empowerment and values formation.

After working for a few hours, the FPIC volunteers proceeded to have lunch at Casa Rap, where the winner of the slogan writing contest was awarded—Rosing Mercado, who came up with "FPIC at Gawad Kalinga, Magkakapit-Bisig sa Paghahandog ng Maayos na Pabahay sa Pamilyang Pinoy."

The company also handed out service awards to four employees: Ana Ma. del Rosario and Christopher Cruz were given the five-year service awards, Robert Philip Betts the 10-year service award and Gilbert Tanyag the 30-year service award.

Last year, to celebrate its foundation day, FPIC repainted a school in Sto. Toribio, Lipa City; two years ago, it seeded tilapia fingerlings in the Calumpang River in Batangas City. In between, the company undertakes safety seminars, medical and dental missions and educational support activities for its communities, with the participation of its employees.