Minister of Human Settlement and Development (MHSD) Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra (left), Lantawan Municipal Mayor Nasser Abubakar (right) sign the Memorandum of Agreement in Cotabato City on February 19, 2024 for the construction of 50 resettlement housing units in Brgy. Bulanza of Lantawan, Basilan. (Faisal Camsa Jr./BIO)
COTABATO CITY—More houses for Basilan residents are set to rise after the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) entered into an agreement with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lantawan on February 19 for the construction of 50 resettlement housing units.
Funded through the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2024, the construction of 50 units in Brgy. Bulanza, with a total cost of P41,827,500, and priced at P836,550 each, is part of the province’s goal to build 200 housing units within the year. The fund allocation also includes the LGUs of Akbar, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Sumisip, and Lantawan.
The proposed housing unit has a floor area of 48 square meters, featuring three (3) bedrooms, a living and dining area, a front porch, a rear service area, and a common comfort room.
“We will try to find ways that every corner of the Bangsamoro will have a project. We are doing the best that we can to serve the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Government,” Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra said while highlighting the different housing project sites completed by the Ministry in the region.
“This is not just a responsibility and accountability that we are answering before the Bangsamoro Government, before the Bangsamoro community, before the Mujahideen, before the Chief Minister, but also before the Filipino people. We are using the tax of the people for this project,” he stressed.
As per the Ministry’s report, housing projects in Basilan have the highest percentage of completion, attributed to the proactive measures taken by its provincial office through close coordination and constant monitoring.
“Kung kaya ng ibang munisipyo, bakit hindi ko kaya, diba? […] kayo ang nagiging tulay mula sa BARMM papunta sa amin, kaya bakit naman hindi namin aayusin ito. Masaya ako na babalik sa amin na may dalang pabahay para sa aming mamamayan,” Municipal Mayor Nasser Abubakar remarked, firmly pledging his resolute dedication to ensuring the timely and accurate implementation of the project.
[If the other municipalities can, why can’t we, right? […] you serve as the bridge from the BARMM [Government] to us, so we will make sure of its proper implementation. I am glad that I will be returning home, bringing new housing units for my constituents.]
Among the target beneficiaries are former combatants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), informal settlers, and other needy societal sectors, as reflected in the consolidated report of the provincial office following stringent validation and assessment.
MHSD plans to execute all MOA signing activities within the first quarter of 2024 to expedite the requisites of its housing resettlement projects, aiming to minimize or eliminate any backlogs for this fiscal year.
Addressing concerns on the provision of decent and affordable housing and basic services for underprivileged and homeless Bangsamoro remains a priority of the Government of the Day, aligned with its 12-Point Priority Agenda. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
