COTABATO CITY August (PIA) -- The Ministry of Human Settlement and Development (MHSD) will be constructing a total of 1,300 housing units across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) including the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato, the Ministry announced on Wednesday, August 25.

Of this number, 550 units will be funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB)2021, 550 units under Special Development Fund 2020, and 200 units from the Marawi Rehabilitation Fund 2020.

Most of these housing units which are set to be constructed fall under the ministry’s resettlement projects that will award free houses to internally displaced persons (IDPs), families of former combatants, and informal settlers based on set criteria and guidelines.  

On August 24, the agency sealed contracts with local construction firms to start developing the housing site for 100 units in Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

According to Salembai Abdullah, MHSD information officer, the project will address the lack of permanent houses or house ownership among qualified families or individuals and government employees with regular income but are not able to build a concrete house.

The target recipients of this project, which could be availed through a loan, are those with regular income and with at least two-year Pag-IBIG Fund membership. Abdullah said interested individuals are advised to apply for the housing units through the MHSD-BARMM.

For all the housing units, water and power connection will be facilitated by the MHSD. Engr. Zainodin A. Buisan, MHSD Planning Officer, mentioned that the Ministry plans to implement the electrification project, which is now under procurement process, with the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative or Cotabato Light, and Cotabato Water District.

MHSD awarded a total of P48.8 million from the P50 million budget from GAAB 2021 to three firms namely ARGE Construction and Supply based in Cotabato City for Lot 1, Green Builders and Enterprises based in Lanao del Sur for Lot 2, and Lito Heavy Equipment and Trucking Services in Davao de Oro for Lot 3.

The construction company owners committed to deliver quality and efficient services making sure that the houses will be available for the applicants even before the contract ends.

Under the MHSD, units completed and awarded so far were 105 under Phase 1 and Phase 3 in Brgy. Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao while 89 units are undergoing completion. (Allan Biwang, Jr./PIA Cotabato City)