Continuing its celebration of the National Shelter Month this October 2024, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, signed two contracts to further develop key areas in Marawi City under the Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP), held at the Conference Room, MHSD Regional Office, Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC), Cotabato City on October 29, 2024.

Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra was delighted that some of the flagship programs of Chief Minister (CM) Ahod B. Ebrahim are centered in rehabilitating Marawi, specifying CM’s commitment to allocate PHP500 million per year dedicated to rebuilding the city. He was grateful that the MHSD was one of the many channels for such projects, mentioning how the topic was raised during a dialogue with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) at the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) the week prior.

“During the dialogue, the DHSUD fully committed to supporting the Ministry in projects like that of MRP,” Minister Barra shared.

“If we are going to work together, we must comply with the requirements set forth by the National Government and keep in mind that the projects are responsibilities, and we will be held accountable not only to our elders—the mujahideen from MILF who fought for self-determination—but also to the National Government and Filipino people, for the block grant is from their taxes and ultimately, we will be held accountable to Allah SWT,” Minister Barra emphasized.

Engr. Abdulhanif A. Ondi of the MRP-Project Management Office (PMO) detailed the two contracts, one of which will construct a health care unit docking station along Marawi Lakeshore in Barangay Tuca, Marawi City, and the other will install 335 units of solar street lights in various IDP shelters in Marawi City and Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur (LDS).

The contract for the health care unit docking station amounts to PHP 30,952,970.82 to be constructed by the Al Fahad Builders and Enterprises, while the solar street lights amount to PHP 21,741,159.27 to be installed by Al Hussein Construction.

Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim welcomed the participants to the ceremony, describing the signing as the commencement of the cooperation and partnership between the MHSD and the contractors dedicated to IDPs of Marawi.

Mariam M. Daud, Director of Finance Management Services, Office of the Chief Minister, described the agreement as not just a formal document, but a symbol of commitment to rebuilding Marawi.

“We are working towards restoring their [original residents of Marawi] homes, their community, and, of course, their lives. This collaboration represents a unified approach to tracking the present issues of housing infrastructures and the community development in its promise to the people of Marawi, that they will not be left behind and that, together, we will create a brighter, more sustainable future for all,” Dir. Daud stated.

During his closing remarks, Salem C. Demuna, Director II for Operations and Management Services, was reassured that the project will be in good hands and will be closely monitored by MHSD-LDS Provincial Office led by Director Benjamin D. Alangca, who was also present to witness the signing.

Also witnessing the signing was Danny T. Calib, State Auditor IV, representatives from the MHSD’s key divisions and sections, staff from the MHSD-LDS, and employees of the MRP-PMO.