Just days after signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday (September 25, 2025) to commence the construction of 50 resettlement housing units in Barangay Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur.

With total fund of PHP 43,680,000.00 from the Special Development Fund (SDF) 2022, the project also includes the establishment of a solar-powered water system level III and an entrance archway.

The MHSD team that led the activity was headed by Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra, accompanied by Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim, MHSD-Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Benjamin D. Alangca, and other key Ministry personnel from the Operations and Management Services (OMS) and Technical and Regulatory Services (TRS).

In his message, Minister Barra inspired the participants by announcing that the MHSD has already constructed 1,300 housing units in the province, some of which have been completed and are ready for distribution to beneficiaries.

“The Ministry has many housing and training center projects here in Lanao del Sur, and this is just from the MHSD; the BARMM government has many more projects for those in need,” the Minister added.

Director General Ebrahim said that the project is one of the BARMM’s priority projects under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, and also informed the audience that there will be an additional 100 units of free housing for Camp Busrah under the Camp Transformation program.

Speaking on behalf of the future beneficiaries, Norhasan Panolong, former Base Commander of the MILF 116 Base Command in Camp Busrah, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the MHSD and the entire BARMM government.

“The sacrifices of the Mujahideen and the MILF leaders have not been in vain because we are now enjoying these projects for our development,” said Mr. Panolong.

Meanwhile, Engr. Phoebe Antonio of JS Rabano Construction and Supply, Inc. expressed their delight in being the partner contractor of the MHSD in carrying out the project in the so-called ‘Cradle of Bangsamoro Struggle’.

She said they will complete the houses and other parts of the project within the stipulated time frame based on the contract or even earlier, and she requested the community’s cooperation in this regard.