DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya, March 29 (PIA)– Three initial houses built, more than 5,700 sandbags done, various schools were repaired and more than 1,500 tree seedlings prepared these are some of the gains by recipient communities after the conduct of the Bayani Challenge 2013 from March 23 to 24.

The more than 1,700 participants composed mostly of youths ended their volunteerism work with musical entertainments, dances and testimonies from local officials and students and a joint ‘boodle fight ‘ lunch inside the gymnasium in barangay Mabasa here.

Engr. Ailleen Ellamil, provincial Gawad Kalinga coordinator said the five-day event has seen the building of an initial three units of houses in barangay Beti in Aritao town, refurbishing of elementary and secondary schools in barangay Munguia, Parai, Mabasa and Ineangan.

“Most of the works done were mural designing, cleaning, painting, landscaping and repair of damaged chairs and tables,” she said.

In Ineangan National High School, members of the organization of Guardians took part in leveling and cementing of the school room annex’ floor which has not been finished due to lack of funds.

“We are very grateful for the assistance of volunteers. Now we can comfortably use this room when the classes will open this June,” a school official said.

Ellamil also said that 1,500 assorted tree seedlings have been prepared for planting including 100 bamboo trees.

Sandbags were also prepared for use of various villages in Parai, Mabasa, Munguia and Ineangan.

Barangay Captain Perfecto Juliana of Parai said more than 5,700 sandbags have been prepared by volunteers in his village alone.

The sandbags he said are important because it will be used to rehabilitate and reinforce a portion of the access road in barangay Parai which was damaged by strong rain flow.

“I did not think that this will happen at first but I was amazed with the result, we are truly grateful for all the volunteers,” Juliana said.

Lectures through the ‘Paraiso Pambata’ program of the GK were also done in barangay Aliaga and Sto Domingo in Bambang town, Ellamil said.