The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, broke ground on October 6, 2022, with the Local Government Units of Cotabato for the construction of 50 housing units resettlement project in Bubong, Kalanganan 2, Cotabato City.

Leading the ceremony were MHSD Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim and Cotabato Mayor Hon. Mohammad Ali ‘Bruce’ D. Matabalao.

The site development plan, presented by the Dacup Surveying Office through Officer-in-Charge Janet Dacup, based on land survey conducted by Geodetic Engr. Dennis P. Dacup, showed the allotment and road access expected per housing unit, which will be one-storey residential buildings with a 49 sq. m. floor area and two bedrooms, with each housing unit having an average 140 sq. m. lot area, depending on the lot placement, and the floor plans including bathroom and kitchen areas.

DG Ebrahim and Mayor Matabalao assured during their messages that the beneficiary selection process will be based on guidelines set by the MHSD and thorough review by the local government, to assure that the house, lot and titles will be properly awarded to the most qualified.

At the time of the groundbreaking ceremony, the project was at its earthworks stage where the land undergoes embankment and flattening.

The project is funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro 2022.

An additional 400 units are expected to be delivered in the upcoming months from the KAPYANAN (Kapayapaan Para sa Pamayanan) Project Management Office of the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and the Ministry of Public Works, Mayor Matabalao shared.

The Cotabato City government is also looking into awarding land titles instead of housing units to beneficiaries financially capable of constructing their own housing units.

During his message, DG Ebrahim reminisced about the project’s jumpstart last July when MHSD signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Cotabato City government, the first signing Mayor Matabalo held after taking office.

“We are hoping that before the end of this year, these structures will rise,” DG Ebrahim said about the housing units’ construction. 

Mayor Matabalao expressed his deep gratitude to all the staff involved from both parties, without whom the project could not have proceeded as it did.