DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya , April 9 (PIA) — The local government unit here has recently passed an ordinance in a bid to institutionalize the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ in uplifting the plight of the poor in the municipality.

The Municipal Ordinance which was unanimously approved last March 22 also declared this town as Gawad Kalinga Zone and appropriated funds yearly in order to implement its component programs and projects.

“This is one of the results of the recently conducted Bayani Challenge 2013 which was participated by close to 2,000 participants and realized an initial number of 3 houses, planting of assorted trees, sandbags and refurbished schools among others,” said Mayor Clarita Egmin-Epi.

The ordinance also recognized the earlier contribution of the GK programs and projects in the province such as the 52 units of decent houses in barangay Malasin which is now known as the FC Binnulig GK Village and the establishment of 14 duplex –type houses in barangay Oyao which has metamorphosed into GK Aluyon Village.

“These projects have been assisted by the provincial government through the provision of funding aid. The recipients were homeless, landless families and typhoon victims who live in high risk areas,” Epi said.

She said that with the ordinance in place, ‘Bayanihan’ spirit will be instilled, internalized and will become a habit among the town villagers in order to help the poor sector in the municipality and attain further progress and development of the municipality.

“By using this trait as a tool, we can encourage more of our constituents to help us in our quest for the needed programs and projects for the poor,” Epi said.

To operationalize the ordinance, the Municipal Gawad Kalinga Council(MGKC) was further created with the following component bodies: Technical Working Group(TWG), Project Development Group(PDG), Local Partnership Group(LPG), Local Resource Generation Group (LRGG), Program Coordination Group(PCG), Community Development Group (CDG), Youth Development Group(TDG), Social Services Group(SSG), Health and Environment Group(HEG) and Education and Religious Affairs Group(ERAG), among others.