After the ceremonial awarding of housing units to 13 beneficiaries, led by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the BARMM, finally did the actual turnover and inauguration of 50 housing units in Maluso and broke ground for construction of 50 more houses in Al-Barka, both in Basilan Province on May 25, 2023.

The groundbreaking took place first and was considered historic and inspiring as the project site in Tebbud, Barangay Danapa, Al-Barka was once a battleground according to the officials that made it seemed a raw land as development could not take place, even houses cannot be built out of fear of destruction.

Before the groundgreaking proper, Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra expressed his happiness with the housing development project in Al-Barka already starting.

“We are now in full force from the MHSD to showcase how we value this project and our partnership”, the Minister said expressing how he also wants the earliest rise of the houses to benefit the deserving beneficiaries.

Hon. Mayor Jaydeefar Juk Lajid of Al-Barka first conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to the MHSD and the whole of the BARMM government.

“I bear withess of the firm dedication of the MHSD and the whole of the BARMM in ensuring the development of every municipality through the provision of decent and stable houses to deserving families”, Mayor Lajid expressed.

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries in Barangay Townsite, Maluso, and officials from the Ministry and from the provincial, municipal, and barangay government, expressed delight over the fulfillment of one of the partnership resettlement housing projects in the province that was recorded as first-ever units to be turned over and inaugurated.

Minister Barra said the housing village shall be called Darussalam, an Arabic word that means House or Place of Peace, coupled with the specific name of the community or the project site like ‘Maluso Darussalam’ that goes the same with the other housing villages that are yet to be turned over.

Manifesting his desire for Maluso’s progress, Hon. Mayor Hanie A. Bud enumerated the developments that came in with the implementation of the resettlement housing project in the village.

“The project is very timely as we have also had a place for worship (mosque) and learning (madrasah) from the WAMY, and we will soon complete the health and market facilities and the fencing for the community here”, said Mayor Bud followed by his expression of gratitude to the MHSD and the whole of the BARMM.

Representing Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman of Basilan, Provincial Administrator Manny C. Muarip acknowledged the sincerity of the BARMM Chief Minister in running the Bangsamoro government.

He then reminded the beneficiaries of the greatness and mercy of Allah SWT that even with no single cent spent, they now have houses.

“Let us make this a model community that people can visit”, he urged the group.

The project in Al-Barka will also have land development and solar powered water system level 2 components and is funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF) 2021.

The 50 units in Maluso were constructed with funds coming from the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2021.

Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri, Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim, Service Directors Suharto S. Wahab and Salem C. Demuna, and Provincial Directors Ibrahim Haruddain of Basilan, Atty. Najira Hassan of Sulu, Sabturani Bakil of Tawi-Tawi, and other significant officials from the MHSD, also participated actively in the activities.