The National Housing Authority (NHA) officially turned over a P20-million housing project to the municipal government of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, providing 100 Indigenous People (IP) families from the Manobo-Dulangan Tribe with their new homes, in a recent ceremony held in Sitio Tamangan, Brgy. Kuden.
Implemented under the NHA’s Housing Assistance Program for IPs and falling within the framework of its Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Government Units, the Sen. Ninoy Aquino IP Housing Project features 100 completed housing units, each with a 21.44-square-meter (sqm) floor area and an 80 sqm lot area.
Representing General Manager Joeben A. Tai, NHA XII Regional Manager Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles spearheaded the ceremony. She was joined by key partners including officials from the Sen. Ninoy Aquino LGU, the Office of 2nd District Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr., the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples XII (NCIP XII), and the 7th Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
In her message, Engr. Cabiles expressed gratitude to the beneficiaries for their unwavering patience and understanding. She acknowledged the various challenges faced, such as changing weather conditions, technical hurdles, and legal concerns that delayed the project’s completion. She emphasized that their endurance was a testament to their trust in the project, the NHA, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s administration’s commitment toward a Bagong Pilipinas.
“This is a clear evidence of your trust not only in the project but also in the mission of the NHA and the government,” she stated, adding, “You deserve equal access to programs and services such as housing and opportunity to progress as well.”
Meanwhile, Datu Egew Pidatan, leader of the Manobo-Dulangan Tribe, conveyed his profound appreciation to the NHA and all stakeholders involved, as he urged his community to cherish and maintain their new homes, envisioning them as a new haven of love and unity.
Engr. Cabiles also lauded the collaborative efforts of various partners who were instrumental in realizing the beneficiaries’ homeownership. She specifically mentioned the untiring support of the Sen. Ninoy Aquino LGU, led by Mayor Randy Ecija Jr.; the NCIP XII and the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat; and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources XII (DENR XII), led by Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix Alicer.
The successful turnover of the Sen. Ninoy Aquino IP Housing Project stands as a testament to multi-agency collaboration aimed at providing equitable housing opportunities for indigenous communities.
