Neediest families in Bulanza, one of the 25 barangays of Lantawan in the Province of Basilan, will soon benefit from the Construction of 50-Unit Resettlement Housing Project that will be implemented after another Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the BARMM and the Local Government Unit at the MHSD Regional Office, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City on February, 19, 2024.

Each unit amounts to PHP836,550.00 and has 6×8 square-meter floor area, with 3 bedrooms, living and dining area, porch and service area at the back, and common bathroom. In total, the project costs PHP 41,827,500.00 funded under the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) 2024.

Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra announced that this year, the MHSD will be ensuring the proper establishment of 1,800 housing units that is the sum of 900 units under regular program on resettlement for the provinces of the BARMM, 600 units for camp transformation and development, and 300 units for the Bangsamoro residing outside the region.

“The Ministry remains thankful to the BARMM government under the care of our Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim for the trust and we always hope to serve every corner of the Bangsamoro with housing assistance,” Minister Barra said.

“Signing this MOA is not just a requirement of the government but also of Islam that requires written document for every agreement and with this, we are happy to serve with no condition but the welfare and progress of the people,” he added.

Salient information on the project including all the resettlement housing projects of 600 units in Basilan were shared by Engr. Zainodin A. Buisan, Chief of the Planning and Design Division (PDD) after which, the details of the project plan were carefully presented by Architect Abubakar Abdullah E. Pangadil and Engr. Borjan T. Gumaga of the PDD.

Printed copies of the projet plan ang program of works were then turned over to Lantawan Municipal Engineer Abusudaish A. Jikiri and to the MHSD-Basilan Office.

Meanwhile, Hon. Nasser A. Abubakar expressed gratefulness to the MHSD for granting his request for his constituents who are really in need of concrete houses.

“Masaya ako na pumunta ang BARMM sa Lantawan at ang mga tao sa lugar ay masaya dahil magkakaroon na sila ng sarili nilang matibay na bahay (I am happy that the BARMM came to Lantawan and the people in the area will soon have their own strong houses), Mayor Abubakar voiced.

“Hindi ko sasayangin ang inyong tulong at tiwala; kung kaya ng ibang munisipyo, bakit hindi kaya ng Lantawan (I will not waste your help and trust; if other municipalities can do it, why can’t Lantawan,” he emphasized.

Provincial Director Ibrahim M. Haruddain of MHSD-Basilan then uttered his commitment to be hand in hand with LGU-Lantawan in securing the proper and earliest completion of the project.

After Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim welcomed all to the MOA signing with high hopes of success, Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri then concluded the event by his utterance that it will always be a blessing and privilege to serve the Bangsamoro and that with the MOA signed, the resettlement housing project is in good hands.