461 beneficiary families receive PhP85.54 Million worth of shelter assistance

by Myla N. Gonzalo, NHA XII/Myra L. Sajo, NEDA XII

Koronadal City, South Cotabato – As of June 2022, NHA XII has provided a total of Php 85.54 Million shelter assistance to 461 family beneficiaries in the region. This assistance is composed of the Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Government Units (RAP-LGU) at Php 75 Million, Housing Assistance Program for Former Rebels (FRs) at Php 4.5 Million, and the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) at Php 6.04 Million.

There were 3 housing projects funded under RAP-LGU, and these are the Bagong Buhay Resettlement Project Phase II in Brgy. Bunao, Tupi with 100 completed housing units; Kasadya Village Project Phase II in Brgy. Dajay, Surallah with 62 completed housing units; and, the Dreamville Resettlement Project in Brgy. Kapatan, Glan with 15 initially completed housing units. This totals to 177 housing units turned over by NHA XII and concerned LGUs to the beneficiaries on June 15, 23, and 28, respectively.

For former rebels on the other hand, 10 housing units with 34.1 square meter floor area worth Php 450,000.00 each have been provided in an area dubbed as “Former Rebels’ Village”. It is located in Sitio Le Mangga, Brgy. Midtungok, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. The housing units were awarded on April 21 to 10 former members of the National People’s Army (NPA) belonging to the ManoboDulangan Tribe. The said houses were constructed within their Ancestral Domain or CADTgranted land. For the EHAP, NHA XII released a total of Php 6.04 Million financial aid to 274 families affected by calamities in various localities in the region through a series of cash assistance distributions on June 15 to 24. These families are from the municipalities of Sto. Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, Tupi, Kabacan, Aleosan, Midsayap, Libungan, M’lang, Makilala, Magpet, Palimbang, Kalamansig and Bagumbayan, and cities of General Santos, Koronadal, and Kidapawan. A separate distribution was done for another batch of beneficiaries in General Santos City on May 17.

The amount received by the beneficiaries ranged from Php 5,000.00 to Php 30,000.00 depending on the severity of the damage brought by the

Some of the beneficiaries during the release of financial assistance under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato

recent disaster and/or calamity. During the cash assistance distribution, NHA Regional Manager Engr. Zenaida M Cabiles advised the beneficiaries to use the money for the repair and improvement of their houses to help realize the purpose of the NHA’s EHAP.

RM Cabiles, also lauded the commendable efforts of the LGU in facilitating the implementation of the said projects during the turnover ceremony of the 177 housing units in Surallah on June 23. She also highlighted in her message the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992 which mandates the LGUs to address the housing needs in their respective localities and for the NHA to provide assistance to LGUs on housing concerns. She also stated that the house, being a sacred place where we sleep and take refuge, is where we build our future and realize our aspirations. Hence, she urged the beneficiaries to value, take good care and improve the houses that were granted to them by the government.

The said NHA regular housing projects and programs– the RAP-LGU, Housing Assistance Program for FRs, and EHAP – were successfully implemented through close coordination and partnership with the concerned LGUs and other government entities in the region such as DHSUD, NCIP, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, PIA, PNP, AFP and the Philippine Army’s TAPAT, KAMPILAN, KAPAYAPAAN and SARANGAY Units.