As the new year started, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, conducted its first ever major activity for 2025 that was the Orientation of potential buyers of the BARMM Phase II housing units in Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Done on January 7, 2025, the activity was organized and facilitated by the Housing and Human Settlement Division (HHSD), led by Chief Shallahudin S. Cosain and was attended by applicants and interested takers from different offices and business in Cotabato City and nearby towns.

Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim welcomed the participants and he officially opened the program by urging them to bear with the Ministry as it tries all possible efforts to expedite the process in finally completing the units despite of the challenges the implementers have been facing.

He also elaborated the the essence and meaning of the activity’s theme that was “The best neighbor to Allah is the best to his neighbors” from the Al-Hadeeth.

The participants were then oriented on significant information about the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Association (HOA) of the Republic Act (RA) 9904 by Administrative Officer V Abdulgaffur M. Casim of the MHSD.

He informed the group that all associations whose purpose, among others is to promote the mutual interest and assist in their community development as homeowners are considered HOA and are mandated to register solely to the Ministry in the case of the BARMM.

Meanwhile, Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Aleyah B. Pundogar explained the documentary requirements in applying for HOA organization and accreditation that include certificate of incorporation, authorization of official representatives, by laws, code of ethics, general information sheet, undertaking and list of incorporators.

To become valid, these, according to Pundogar, should be duly signed by all the officers and notarized.

The processes and requirements in applying for the housing loan through the Pag-IBIG Fund were then presented by Member Service Officer III Engr. Wayne H. Pagente.

He said the Pag-IBIG Housing Loan offers interest rates of 5.750% per year for one year fixed period and 6.250% per annum for three years fixed period, both payable up to 30 years.

For a loan amounting to PHP 1,000,000.00, he showed the computation of the estimated monthly amortization of PHP6,157.17, for a 30-year loan term for which the required gross monthly income is PHP 17,591.92.

The participants were able to ask the presenters and the officials from the MHSD on matters related to their application that included the total amount per housing unit to which they were informed that it will cost PHP1,200,000.00.

Director Suharto S. Wahab of the Technical and Regulatory Service showcased his support to the endeavor and reassured the applicants that there will be upcoming similar projects that may cater those who will not get the chance for approval in the Phase II.

The activity was concluded by Chief Cosain who hoped that the housing project would become a model community and wished that those who attended would become neighbors in the coming days.