In today’s signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Balindong, Lumbayanague, and Tamparan in Lanao del Sur, the local chief executives (LCEs) expressed elation for their destitute constituents who are to benefit from the resettlement housing projects that will be implemented soon.

Held at the Cafe 67 in Marawi City, the signing activity was particularly for the Construction of 50-Unit Resettlement Housing Projects in Brgy. Magarang, Balindong, Brgy. Kabasaran, Lumbayanague, and Brgy. Lilod Tubok, Tamparan each amounts to PHP39,847,500 from the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2024.

On behalf of their people, Hon. Mayors Amer-Reggie L. Bagul, Mohammad Juhar D. Disomimba, and Jamal L. Asum expressed their gratefulness to BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, MHSD Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra and Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim for granting their requests for housing assistance and they all committed to ensuring the success of the projects with the assistance of the MHSD-Lanao del Sur Provincial Office headed by Director Benjamin D. Alangca.

Minister Barra announced that this year, a total of 900 units shall be constructed across the region under resettlement housing projects and 600 units for camps transformation and development, and another 600 units in areas outside the BARMM, after which he shared the essence of MOA signing and the compliance of the parties to the provisions therein.

“The signing of this document is a requirement of the government and we are mandated to perform our parts of the contract, secondly, this is a requirement of Islam,” Minister Barra emphasized. 

“We have been trying to be fair in the distribution of the projects in the different provinces of the BARMM and we thank the BARMM government for the trust and support. We always bear in mind that we are not just accountable to the BARMM government and the people, the mujahideen, but also to the national government and ultimately to Allah SWT,” he added.

Engr. Zainodin Buisan, Chief of the Planning and Design Division of the MHSD, gave further details of the resettlement housing projects in Lanao del Sur this year.

On the other hand, Architect Abubakar Abdullah E. Pangadil and Engr. Borjan T. Gumaga presented the detailed project plans, and led by Chief Buisan, they handed over the detailed engineering plans and copies of program of works to Municipal Engineers Abduljalil D. Hadji Yusoph of Balindong, Abdul Hakeem L. Dimapinto of Lumbayanague, and Samia S. Macadadaya of Tamparan.

After welcoming all the officials and the participants, Director General Ebrahim announced that the projects are part of the flagship programs of the BARMM government and he advised the LGUs to get in touch with the MHSD-Lanao del Sur if they have concerns related to the projects.

As his commitment, Provincial Director Alangca said they will be closely monitoring the progress of the projects, assist the LGUs in securing necessary permits, and they will ensure that the project locations are free from any hazard.