RFC, VP Binay gears to build decent homes for the IPs

Home for the IPs – (Seated from left) Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, R-12 National Housing Authority (OIC) director Engr. Rolando Teves, LGU project development officer-II Richard Saranillo, Gensan City-based NHA Engr. Rizalino Cabahug and provincial tribal chieftain and SB ex-officio Edmund Pangilan discuss about the propose location site that will serve as LGU counterpart to the NHA construction of a P10 million-worth housing project. The 100 houses will be distributed to the Taga-kaulo and Blaan tribal minorities of Malungon town in Sarangani. (Jojo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – The National Housing Authority, in collaboration with the municipal government is up for the construction of a P10 million-worth housing project intended for poor Blaan and Tagakaulo minorities here in town.

Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino said the construction of the 100-unit housing project for the IPs was made possible through the initiative of Vice President Jojomar C. Binay, who is chairman of NHA's Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Constantino said local government and NHA representatives led by Engr. Rolando Teves, NHA (OIC) regional director for Central Mindanao, have already met late last week to talk about the needed site which is probably located along the ancestral domains row,   and other supporting papers for the finalization of the project.

“I believe the project will soon rise after we (LGU) have able to submit all prescribe documents, including our counterpart which is the project site,” the chief executive said.  

Constantino said the project is part of the vice president’s ‘Pabahay Caravan’ which aims at building stronger ties between the local government units,  through the construction of affordable homes not only for IPs, but government workers, police and the Armed Forces as well.

The housing program for indigenous peoples was first launched in August last year, where the Board of the National Housing Authority chaired by Binay, has approved the first-ever housing project that sheltered almost 350 Aeta families in Floridablanca, Pampanga. 

On January 11, 2013, The Manila Times has reported at least 2, 000 Badjaos that dwells the shores of Brgy. Nunucan and Mochton, in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi province have received housing units from the government. Binay said the project was a joined undertaking by the National Housing Authority, the Office for Southern Cultural Communities - ARRM and the local government of Sibutu. 

“At first, my foremost dream was only to uplift the living condition of my people by providing them the much needed medical attention, source of living, and educate their children to be fine examples to the unborn. Now, this includes my beloved people to avail a decent place to live in called as - home,” said Constantino, who is a half-blooded Blaan. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).