Underserved barangay in Cagayan gets new classrooms from GMA Kapuso Foundation

A poor and underserved barangay in Rizal, Cagayan, is the latest recipient of new classrooms from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a “24 Oras” report Friday, Barangay Bural had no electricity, no potable water, no phone signal, lacked proper roads, and served as a battleground between soldiers and NPA rebels for over a decade.

“Nag-evacuate kami. Kapag hindi ka umalis sa barangay, sasabihin nila no-man’s island, bugbog-sarado, maraming masasaktan,” said former barangay captain Dionisio Ramos.

The report said residents returned to Bural in 1990, but progress had been elusive to this day.

“Hanggang ngayon wala kaming potable water, walang ilaw, kaya ang ginagamit namin na ilaw, solar energy. Ang ginagamit din naming pang-signal, ’yung radio,” said barangay chief Evelyn Baloran.

“Mahirap ’yung daan namin po, very poor talaga,” she added.

Barangay Bural was also severely affected when Typhoon Ulysses hit Cagayan in November 2020.

“’Yung mga anak nung mga taga-rito, walang eskuwelahan. Na siya ring nakikita kong naapektuhan noong araw, kabataan,” said Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of the 5th Infantry Star Division.

According to GMA Kapuso Foundation senior engineer Edgar Ed Eniego, the walls of the newly built classrooms were made with poured concrete to withstand typhoons.

They also built water tanks to provide steady supply to the school and the community.

Lolo Dionisio’s grandchildren, who would be using the classrooms once allowed, also received school supplies and grocery packs from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, PayMaya, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, Zalora and Mega Mart.

For more information, visit GMA Kapuso Foundation’s website. – RC, GMA News