DECEMBER 08, 2020. The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, through the MBE Construction and Supply, started its mobilization activities as part of the second phase of the BARMM Housing Project Implementation in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The on-site delivery of initial construction materials, such as sand and gravel, was a bit delayed as affected by the pandemic and other unavoidable circumstances.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) provided land development assistance intended for road networks, drainage systems, and water lines.

The community development project aims to provide decent and affordable housing units to interested BARMM constituents. The initial 40 housing units are expected to be completed by early March 2021.

The funding requirements for the construction of the initial housing units was part of the ministry’s approved budget as reflected in the BARMM Appropriation Act (BAA) of 2020.

Chief of the Housing and Human Settlements Division Abdullah M. Dipatuan stated that the ministry plans to construct another 100 units at the same site by the first quarter of 2021, and another 53 units by 2022, if the proposed budget for the project is approved by the Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management, so as to utilize the total 193 saleable plots in Barangay Semba.

The first phase of the project commenced during the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Regional Housing and Rural Development Authority (RHRDA) in Barangay Upper Capiton, Maguindanao, which included the planning, bidding, and approval processes, as well as the final awarding of units to the qualified beneficiaries in 2018. The project has since been turned over to the MHSD by 2019.

The third phase was completed in Barangay Upper Capiton under the In-House Financing Program. The beneficiaries for Phase Three have already been identified and they were awarded with respective housing units.