180 families benefit from housing project in Saguiran

By Teng L. Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief . 

Marawi City — A total of 180 families who were left homeless by the five-month battle between government soldiers and local terrorists will benefit from the housing project put up by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Armm Governor Mujiv Hataman led the turnover ceremony of an initial 36 units of transitional shelters in Barangay Lumbaca Toros in Saguiran, Lanao del Sur. The beneficiaries are from Norhaya, one of the villages within an area in Marawi dubbed ‘Ground Zero.’ late last week.

The additional 144 units located in Barangay Pantaon of the same town, are still under construction and will be turned over to beneficiaries this year. Those who will benefit from the two housing projects are mostly residents who stayed at the Saguiaran evacuation center.

“Gusto namin na mabawasan na ang mga nakatira sa tents at evacuation center. Magtulungan tayong lahat upang mabilis tayong makaba-ngon sa sakunang ito,” Hataman said.

The regional government has earmarked about P20 million for the construction of housing units, additional water facilities and a 100-meter access road.

Since the Marawi siege on May 2017, the Armm continues to provide assistance to thousands of residents who were affected by the crisis. He said the regional government strives to rebuild the foundations of local leadership and re-establish safe spaces for the most vulnerable groups in the communities.

“Marawi will rise again, and it will rise with the renewed strength and courage of our people,” Hataman added.

For the city’s rehabilitation program, the Armm government has initially allocated P150 million.

The regional government already provides a series of medical and psycho-social services, relief distribution, livelihood training and assistance, peace advocacy, dialogue, and consultation, among others, to those displaced by the Marawi siege.

Hataman assured that the beneficiaries will overcome the crisis.

“Titiyakin namin na maibibigay namin ang mga pangangailangan ninyo upang makabangon,” he said. Barangays Lumbaca Toros and Pantaon, where the housing units are being built, are both recipients of the governor’s anti-poverty program dubbed Armm-Helps (Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy). (with reports from bpi armm)