Minister of Human Settlement and Development Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra, along with some officials of the Bangsamoro Government, and Datu Blah Sinsuat Mayor Datu Marshall Sinsuat pose for a photo with the beneficiaries of the ministry’s free housing units and shelter toolkits. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Minister of Human Settlement and Development Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra turned over on Tuesday, January 23, a total of 100 permanent housing units to the local government units of Datu Blah Sinsuat (DBS) and Sultan Kudarat (SK) in Maguindanao del Norte as part of the celebration of the 5th founding anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Fifty housing units, equipped with solar powered water system level II, were provided to former combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Laguitan, DBS. Additionally, another 50 housing units were granted to ex-combatants from Barangay Banubo in SK.
The one-storey houses feature a total of 49 square meters floor area, with two bedrooms, one comfort room, living area, porch, kitchen and a dining area.
Minister Barra commended the efforts and support of the Bangsamoro Government and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament in providing funds to build the housing units.
“The Bangsamoro Government is indeed for the Bangsamoro people.” Barra emphasized.
“This year, we have an approved 900 housing units which will be distributed to different provinces in BARMM areas,” Barra shared.
Sumaidin Mokammad, MILF member and housing beneficiary, acknowledged the significant assistance provided by the regional government to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“Marami na ang naitulong nito (BARMM government) hindi lang sa atin na Muslim kundi sa lahat. Kung dati natatakot ang mga tao na lumabas kapag gabi na, ngayon na may gobyerno na ng Bangsamoro nabawasan yung takot natin,” said 43 years old Mokammad.
Moreover, DBS LGU also received 1,733 shelter toolkits, which will be distributed to partially damaged houses of 2022 Tropical Storm Paeng victims. The kits include a curved claw octagonal hammer, push-pull steel tape rule, tool box, straight hand saw, ripping bar, l-square, plumb bob, hack saw, slim nose pliers, 2-piece screwdriver set (flat and philips), and dynagrip wood chisel.
This project is a collaborative effort of MHSD, Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi-BARMM), the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), and other stakeholders.
DBS Mayor Datu Marshall Sinsuat expressed gratitude for BARMM’s initiative in providing the toolkits. “Nandiyan yung walang katapusang suporta ng BARMM sa aming munisipyo,” he said.
The total number of houses damaged in BARMM during the TS Paeng was 2,266, with 1,733 in Maguindanao, 379 in Basilan, 35 in Sulu, and 119 in Tawi-Tawi. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
