CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- More informal settler families (ISFs) are set to benefit from the latest government housing projects rolled out by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in this city on Tuesday.
DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, along with Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, led the turnover of the initial 10 medium-rise resettlement buildings intended for 240 ISFs.
Some of the beneficiaries are also survivors of Typhoon Sendong, which wreaked havoc in various parts of Mindanao in 2011.
Located inside the five-hectare Balubal Heights Subdivision Federation Inc. in Brgy. Balubal, the resettlement project being jointly undertaken by SHFC and the Cagayan de Oro local government unit features a total of 40 buildings that can accommodate more than 900 ISFs, with the other structures now in various stages of completion.
“This is another testament of how the Duterte administration gives importance to its goal of providing decent, sustainable, yet affordable homes to Filipinos, especially the underprivileged,” Secretary Del Rosario stressed.
“We at DHSUD and SHFC are fulfilling that vision to provide housing assistance to low-income families, as well as victims of calamities. And you can see the design of this project is truly of high standards that the beneficiaries can be proud of,” the housing czar noted.
Also gracing the turnover ceremony was CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno, who expressed his sincerest gratitude to the government through DHSUD and SHFC, for turning the resettlement project into a reality.
Later in the day, Secretary Del Rosario and SHFC President Cabling headed to Brgy. Lumbia to inspect two-story duplex type shelters – part of an ongoing project intended for victims of the Marawi 2017 siege and Typhoon Sendong survivors comprising the Muslim-Christian Women’s Homeowners Association Inc.
A Memorandum of Agreement for land development of the resettlement project was also signed on Tuesday. Witnessing the MOA-signing ceremony were Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and Mayor Moreno.
In his message, Secretary Del Rosario attributed the success of the two housing projects in Cagayan de Oro City to the convergence of efforts of the national and local government officials, private partners and the local communities.
“These projects only show that true progress can be achieved through effective convergence among the government, the private sector and citizens,” Secretary Del Rosario said.
“We urge everyone to continue supporting such endeavors aimed at uplifting the lives of Filipino families, particularly those from the low-income bracket, by providing them with decent, yet sustainable and affordable homes they can call their own,” the DHSUD chief added.
The housing projects in Cagayan de Oro City are the fourth to be rolled out by DHSUD and SHFC this year. (DHSUD)
