Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim along with KAPYANAN Project Manager Engr. Mohammad Abdullah, Sultan Mastura Mayor Zulficar Ali Panda, and other local government officials led on Nov. 13 the awarding ceremony for the 150 solar-powered houses in Maguindanao del Norte. (Michael Camsa/BIO)
SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao del Norte—Through the housing program of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, 150 houses equipped with solar-powered lighting and water system were successfully awarded to poverty-stricken residents of this province.
The housing units were constructed by the Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN) program across three different municipalities: Barangay Tuka in Sultan Mastura, Barangay Raguisi in Sultan Kudarat, and Barangay Maputi in Parang. Each town comprises 50 units, with each unit costing P521,729.03.
Chief Minister Ebrahim along with KAPYANAN Project Manager Engr. Mohammad Abdullah and Sultan Mastura Mayor Zulficar Ali Panda led the awarding ceremony on November 13.
Ebrahim urged the recipients to take care of the units they received as this initiative is part of the regional government’s legacy to the Bangsamoro constituents.
“Nyaba e nailay tanu a kailangan nu madakel a taw a walay. Nyaba e kaped kanu primary program tanu a social services,” Ebrahim said in Maguindanaon vernacular.
[We saw that what people need most is housing. This is part of our primary program in social services.]
For 2023, KAPYANAN targeted to award 800 new housing units to qualified beneficiaries across the region.
Engr. Abdullah, who assumed the role of KAPYANAN project manager in September, expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him by the administration. He commended Chief Minister Ebrahim’s capacity to lead BARMM with a commitment to the principles of moral governance.
“I truly appreciate (the initiative) to uplift the living conditions of Bangsamoro constituents, especially the indigent (members) of poverty-stricken groups in various barangays within BARMM,” Engr. Abdullah said.
Ebrahim’s KAPYANAN program is designed for the poorest of the poor, internally displaced persons, martyrs of war, indigenous people, and other members of marginalized communities.
“Itong mga tao na nakakuha ngayon ng bahay, talagang walang bahay. Ang pasasalamat sa kanila (BARMM) ay sobra-sobra,” said Abdulhan Sema, housing association president of Brgy. Tuka.
[Those who received houses today really had none before. We really thank the BARMM.]
“Ang kinuha po natin dito ay mga MILF combatants, sila talaga yung binigyan. Atsaka pinili talaga ang poorest of the poor sila at napakalaking halaga po sa kanila na magkaroon ng sariling bahay na mayroon ng solar lights at solar water system,” Sema added.
[We specifically chose Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants to receive these houses. And we deliberately selected the poorest of the poor. Having their own house with solar lights and water system means a lot to them.]
The regional government also extended gratitude to Esmail Sema for donating one hectare of land to build the housing projects at Brgy. Tuka in Sultan Mastura. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
