Families from in Brgy. Balobo, Lamitan City in Basilan enjoy the 50 housing units that was turned over by the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) on June 30, 2023. (Majid Nur/BIO)
LAMITAN CITY— Some Bangsamoro families in Basilan, facing financial difficulties and residing in remote areas of the island province, still find it challenging to achieve their dreams of owning decent homes.
Garcia, Sabdani, and Ajilun—three fortunate recipient families of BARMM’s housing project—consider these homes nothing short of a ‘biyaya’ (divine blessings), unfolding for needy families.
Hermisa Garcia, a 45-year-old mother of three, living in Balobo village, finds herself among the fortunate recipients of this initiative through the Ministry Human Settlement and Development (MHSD).
Amidst her husband’s battle with illness and their struggles to make ends meet, she said this blessing from God gift brings her overwhelming joy and gratitude.
“We are delighted because we’re given free house and land. This is a great blessing for us given by the Almighty through the BARMM and the City Government of Lamitan,” Hermisa said in an interview on March 21, 2024.
Her husband, Jose Dennis Garcia, was once a diligent plumber at Lamitan City Water District, until illness struck him, affecting their livelihood.
“I used to work as a plumber. I quit because of diabetes and started dialysis since 2020. My two children have their own families, my wife is the only one working for our family,” he said.
“We are really happy and lucky to have a free decent house. We have a lot of problems to think about, but renting a house is no longer one of them. Thanks to MHSD and the Bangsamoro government,” Jose quipped.
Similarly, Jocelyn Mangompit Sabdani, a 52-year-old housewife, can scarcely believe her fortune. Despite facing the loss of a child and enduring the uncertainties of her husband’s irregular employment, the newfound security of owning a home feels surreal.
“We are very happy, it’s like a dream to me. A family’s dream is to have their own and well-maintained house, but that is unlikely to achieve for the disadvantaged ones,” Sabdani shared.
Also, one of Yakan beneficiaries, Hamida Ajilin 46, single mother with disability abandoned by her husband more than 15 years who is dependent her daughter expressed heartfelt gratitude to BARMM government headed by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Hamida Ajilin, 46, a single mother and a person with disability (PWD), abandoned by her husband over 15 years ago, also finds solace and stability in the BARMM’s housing initiative.
As she depends on her daughter for support, she extends her heartfelt appreciation to Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and the Bangsamoro Government for their compassion and support.
“Now, [with this house given by the BARMM], we can call it our home because it gathers our family. We are complete, intact, and we live happily together. Thanks to the Bangsamoro Government,” Ajilin said.
Despite facing delays in construction, Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) Provincial Director Ibrahim Haruddain ensured the swift completion of the houses, prioritizing beneficiaries who were flood and fire victims, PWDs, widows, and the poorest of the poor from various tribal communities.
The turnover of 50 housing units on June 30, 2023, marked a significant milestone in the journey towards providing secure housing for vulnerable communities in Basilan.
To date, a total of 2400 housing units have been awarded, with ongoing construction, and yet to be awarded across the Bangsamoro region. (Majid Nur/BIO)
