The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), successfully presented and justified its proposal for a budget increase for the year 2025 to the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management (CFBM) held at the Parliament Session Hall, Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City on November 20, 2024.

From its initial allocation of PHP624 million under the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM), the CFBM approved the MHSD’s appeal and increased its funding by PHP508 million, bringing the total budget to PHP1.132 billion for fiscal year 2025.

According to Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra, the additional funds will be used by the MHSD to strengthen communities throughout the Bangsamoro region by constructing free housing units for the most vulnerable families.

“We thank the CFBM for their approval to increase our budget at the MHSD, which made possible the additional 400 resettlement housing units with water systems for the six provinces of the BARMM,” Minister Barra said with joy.

Member of the Parliament Mary Ann M. Arnado, CFBM Chair, expressed agreement with the importance of establishing decent housing in the region, given the high number of families in need based on the housing needs of 315,882 recorded by the MHSD in September 2024.

She also stated that the approved budget increase for the MHSD is subject to fiscal space, or the availability of funds that the government can allocate for the required purpose without compromising the sustainability of its financial position.

MP Arnado approved the MHSD’s appeal through a motion by Member of the Parliament and CFBM member Aida M. Silongan, seconded by Members of the Parliament Dr. Susana Salvador-Anayatin, Amroussi A. Macatanong, and Said M. Shiek.

Minister Barra was joined by Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri, Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim, Director for Operations and Management Services Salem C. Demuna, Director for Technical and Regulatory Services Suharto S. Wahab, and heads of various divisions and sections of the Ministry in representing the MHSD and justifying its proposal to the CFBM.