The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, conducted the Policy Dissemination and Devolution Orientation for the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the BARMM Island Provinces held at the Blue Lotus Hotel, Davao City on November 9-10, 2023.

Suharto S. Wahab, EnP, REA, Director II for Technical Regulatory Services, answered several queries throughout the program, one way of reassuring the LGUs of the MHSD’s commitment to providing services aligned with the Ministry’s mandate.

Directors Atty. Najira S. Hassan, Director of the MHSD-Sulu Provincial Office, Ibrahim M. Haruddain, LPT, of the MHSD-Basilan Provincial Office, and Engr. Sabturani U. Bakil, of the MHSD-Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office also committed their respective office’s assistance.

Atty. Janice-zah M. Macapantar, EnP, Chief of Environment, Land Use and Urban Development Division (ELUUDD), presented the salient features and key elements of Executive Order (EO) 71, Devolving the Powers of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board to Approve Subdivision Plans to Cities and Municipalities pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, and EO 72, Providing for the Preparation and Implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) of LGUs pursuant to the LGC of 1991 and other pertinent laws.

“The presentation served as the basis for what participants may expect in terms of devolved powers from the MHSD,” she said.

To provide other basis for the devolved powers from the MHSD, LArcht. Jehanna M. Abdulkarim, Chief of Policy Development, Coordination and Regulatory Division (PDCRD), presented the overview of the devolution training, which included background on the LGC (1991), as well as the introduction to policy agenda and proposals.

To assist in tracking project and programs related to housing, Yasser S. Mama, Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation Division (MED) presented the inventory of housing related activities, where participants answered a form to level-off on specific projects concerning the MHSD.

The background of the MHSD’s regulatory services, such as those pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) No. 957, titled Regulating the Sale of Subdivision Lots and Condominiums, providing Penalties for Violations thereof, and Batas Pambansa 220, which covers the Revised Rules and Standards for Economic and Socialized Housing Projects, and other related laws as well as their implementing regulations and applications were presented by Abdul Gaffur M. Casim, Administrative Officer V.

Supporting Chief Abdulkarim’s presentation on policy crafting, Amerah Aisah L. Macalangcom, Administrative Officer V, presented the outputs of the Policy Forum on Water Urbanism and Settlements conducted the previous month, which sparked another round of discussions between the participants on proper project implementation that is culturally inclusive yet durable and environmentally sustainable.

In addition to Chief Macapantar’s presentation, Marjan P. Saminoden, Project Development Assistant, presented the Enhanced Guidelines for CLUP Review and Approval Process for BARMM LGUs.

Participants from the 17 LGUs were grateful for the activity initiated by the MHSD, looking forward to future coordination with the MHSD, as well as other BARMM Ministries, Agencies and Offices for the betterment of the Bangsamoro, especially the future generations.