Cotabato City  –  The Bangsamoro Government's Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 24, marking the start of construction for 50 cost-free housing units in Purok Mangungan, Bagua II, this city.

The project, funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2024, aims to provide housing assistance to low-income Bangsamoro families, offering them a free house and lot with a free land title.

 

“This intervention provides a free house and lot, including a free land title,” said Esmael Ebrahim, MHSD Director-General.

 

Each housing unit will feature water systems, solar lights, access roads, and resettlement support services, which may include livelihood assistance from partner agencies.

 

The project targets former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants, the poorest of the poor, victims of calamities or conflict, indigenous people, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).  Local government units (LGUs) are involved in identifying and selecting beneficiaries.

 

Deputy Minister Aldin Asiri reaffirmed the MHSD’s commitment to its mandate, stating that the housing project is not only a triumph for the ministry but for the entire Bangsamoro.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony highlights the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to addressing the lack of shelters and settlements, particularly for those affected by conflict and displacement, as mandated by Section 9, Article IX of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

 

In January 2024, the MHSD also completed and turned over a two-story multi-purpose training center in Bagua II, benefitting Da’wah Academy Incorporated (DAI) with a focus on promoting Moral Governance across the Bangsamoro region.

 

This latest housing project aligns with the fifth priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, which focuses on investing in strategic infrastructure for economic growth.  The construction of these 50 cost-free housing units represents a significant step towards providing better living conditions and fostering a brighter future for the people of the Bangsamoro.