CATBALOGAN CITY -- In line with the commitment to end insurgency as embodied in Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict, a housing project was inaugurated in San Jose de Buan, Samar on August 18.

The 3.4-hectare peace village was named as "Saad nga Balay Para han mga Peacebuilders han San Jose de Buan" with 17 peacebuilders initially identified as beneficiaries.

The total cost of the 150 square-meter house to be constructed is worth P250,000 per unit, and the design of the is half-concrete and half-Amakan with two bedrooms and one bath. There will also be a livelihood and socio-cultural area in the vicinity, for training, skills and livelihood development activities.

Early on, Gov. Sharee Ann Tan pledged P1M as the contribution of the Province to the project. It was later on increased to P2.5M, which will guarantee at least 10 houses for the peacebuilders.

Vice Governor Arnold Tan, who represented Governor Sharee Ann Tan said, "The governor is happy that this housing project has commenced."

"I hope that this Saad nga Balay is the start of our healing process, and our cooperation towards development. May the past become our foundation for a brighter future," the vice-governor added.

San Jose de Buan Mayor Joaquin Elizalde, on the other hand, vowed to share P1.5M as the municipality’s contribution for the Saad nga Balay.

The mayor expressed his gratitude to all those who came to witness the groundbreaking ceremony and said, "The Saad nga Balay is a symbol of hope. This will pave way for a positive change."

Meanwhile, Regional Peace and Order Council Chairperson and Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, expressed his support to all peace and order programs and projects of the LGUs.

He likewise shared, "This housing project is a result of peace. However, it's the job of everyone to make this peace sustainable."

Moreover, BGen. Lenart Lelina of the Army's 801st Brigade, 8ID, was also elated with the housing program, to which he said that the government's effort to promote peace and order will never cease.

Other stakeholders and partner agencies were also instrumental in the housing project from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Samar Police Provincial Office, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the 87th Infantry Battalion, among others. (Samar PIO)