The Gawad Kalinga-led initiative, the "SipaG" program, formally introduced its partnership with the Philippine Football Federation in a press conference held last January 5 at Amici, Greenhills, San Juan City.

SipaG aims to develop grassroots football for the underprivileged that started since 2003 with the help of Henry V. Moran Foundation. "GK has been using football as a tool for its Child and Youth Development program since 2005," said Volunteer Head of GK SipaG Kevin Goco. According to Myra Goco, there currently have 12 GK villages in 10 sites involved. These sites include Baseco and Smokey Mountain in Manila; Taguig City; Sitio Ruby, Fairview, Quezon City; Pasig City; Mandaluyong City; and Tatalon, Quezon City.

PFF President Mariano Araneta personally saw how GK is very much involved in this initiative and noticed the track record of GK on corporate social responsibility programs. With this formal launching of the tie-up for the said program, PFF would provide technical assistance and development. Marlon Maro will lead the technical assistance to the said program.

The program will also receive a grant amounting to $25,000 per year. This grant was made possible through Prince Ali of Jordan.

GK Executive Director Luis Oquiñena said that they are very much thrilled and honored partnering with the Asian Football Confederation and the PFF. He said that the program aims that through sport will allow an individual to elevate himself/herself out of poverty and aspire for greatness and for the better in life. He also said that Iligan will allocate a football field as part of their Post-Sendong relocation plan.

Michael Goco said that the SipaG program would be a community-based teaching style of 3-a-side and 5-a-side football, or street football (futkal). He also hopes that someone from this program reaches to our local clubs or even to the national team. Since the program has been running for quite sometime, Michael said that there is already one existing football scholar that is currently studying at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

Maro layed out the plans of the technical committee by hosting a football festival this March. Also, they are also setting up a Liga GK. "We are using the sport to save lives and develop role models for the community," said Maro.

GK SipaG program aims to eventually work with at least 20 sites across Metro Manila and expand to GK sites in Visayas and conflict areas in Mindanao.