Few days before Ramadhan this year and shortly after the signing of the memorandum of agreement, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lantawan, Basilan joined forces in conducting the groundbreaking ceremony today, in Barangay Bulanza that paves the way for the construction of 50 resettlement housing units for the families in dire need.

Funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2024, the project will establish houses, each unit amounting to PHP836,550.00 with 6×8 square-meter floor area, 3 bedrooms, living and dining area, porch and service area at the back, and common bathroom that totals to PHP 41,827,500.00.

Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra said the project is another manifestation of the continuing effort of the BARMM government, through the MHSD, in reaching every corner of the region to ensure that no Bangsamoro is left behind in terms of availment of housing assistance.

“When we hear of Bangsamoro, three things should come to our minds and these are identity, territory, and government system; these are what we have, what the Bangsamoro has,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim acknowledged the sincerity of the LGU and said that the ministry trusts that the project is in good hands.

In his overview of the project, Director for Operations and Management Services Salem C. Demuna informed the group that the project is one of the priority agenda of the BARMM government through Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and that it responds to every family’s dream of having a decent house.

Hon. Mayor Nasser A. Abubakar committed to ensuring the completion of the housing units in six months and he encouraged all the stakeholders including the people in the community to pray, cooperate, and help as much as they can for the earliest fruition of the project.

On the other hand, MHSD-Basilan Provincial Director Ibrahim M. Haruddain expressed his commitment of helping the LGU implement the project effectively after informing the attendees that the first shuhada (martry) in Basilan is from Barangay Bulanza.

The actual groundbreaking ceremony was done after Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri concluded the program by sharing his happiness for being part of the noble work and he said that being one of the implementers is deeply satisfying as he is able to deliver what is expected of him to make the lives of the beneficiaries easier and more comfortable.