MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The National Housing Authority (NHA) and the city local government here entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for the land acquisition of the road right-of-way for road projects and site acquisition for various physical infrastructure projects in the most affected area (MAA) of the city.

“It is an attempt of the NHA to finally resolve the issue on the right-of-way kasi [because] all our infrastructure projects such as the road infra and other vertical infrastructures nato [of ours], affected ang mga private or claims na yuta [private or claimed lands are affected],” said NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. in an exclusive interview Tuesday, August 17.

Escalada said under the MOA, a budget amounting to P400 million should be able to cover the payment for the right-of-way acquisition. 

Accordingly, around P120 million is allocated for the compensation of real property owners affected by the alignment of primary, secondary, and tertiary roads in MAA. 

Also part of the P400 million is the payment for all the facilities which will become the site of the government’s transformers while the compensation for institutional infrastructures such Madrasah, schools, and hospitals, among others will also be given as these are claimed to be private properties. 

Escalada said he has encouraged City Mayor Majul Gandamra to also pay the temporary shelters in Sagonsongan, Rorogagus, and Boganga if there will be a remaining amount out of the total apportioned budget as these sites can be legally transferred to the would-be beneficiaries.

The NHA chief highlighted that although the Master Development Plan assigned NHA for the payment for the right-of-way, his analysis conveyed that the NHA will not remain forever in the city, thus, LGU should be at the forefront of the effort to assess the qualification of the beneficiaries, valuation of the affected properties, and the resolving of claims and counterclaims. 

With this, he emphasized that while the city mayor will submit regular reports and updates on the possible payments of the right-of-way and land acquisitions, the Authority, on the other hand, will make sure that the regular reporting of the payment will be made in order and proper.

Following the sealed deal, the general manager assured the affected MAA residents of a rightful settlement. 

“Sa atong mga kaigsoonang Maranao, kung kamo affected sa amoang infrastructures, do not worry because naa man tay pondo as payment for the just compensation,” said Escalada.

[To our Maranao brothers and sisters, if you are affected by our infrastructures, do not worry because we have a fund as payment for the just compensation.] (CRG/PIA-ICIC