KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA)— A total of 179 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) here acquired new housing units from the OFW Village Pabahay Program.

The program, initiated by the city government, was realized through the help of the Provincial Government of Cotabato and the National Housing Authority.

City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said most of the beneficiaries were those heavily affected by the 2019 earthquake.

The OFW Village is a 4.5-hectare land located in Barangay Kalaisan. Its construction started in 2018 wherein the provincial government, through the then Governor Emmylou Mendoza, allotted P5 million counterpart for the program which costs P7.5 million.

Each housing unit measures 30 square meters and is erected in a not less than 120 square meter lot. The unit has a solar panel, water tank, septic tank, and toilet fixtures.

“We are also set to put up parks and play grounds, community facilities, elevated water tank, and waste treatment facility in the village,” Evangelista said adding that these will be realized through the help of partner agencies.

OFW-beneficiaries will pay a small amount monthly for five to 10 years. The fees will be collected and will be used to purchase another area for other target beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, during the turnover ceremony, the city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, distributed food packs to beneficiaries. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development committed to allocate P2 million for the electrification of the village.  (With reports from CIO-Kidapawan)