The National Housing Authority (NHA) has led the groundbreaking ceremony of the housing project for the Ata Manobo tribe in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, a known NPA-controlled area .
NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., led the ceremony for the three housing projects in Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil here on Tuesday.
Along with Escalada were Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez, Talaingod Mayor Jonnie Libayao, Eastern Mindanao Command commander Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Reuben Basiao and Salugpongan Founder Datu Guibang Apuga .
In his speech, the NHA General Manager said the three projects have a total amount of P60 million which came from the 2019 budget.
He said each project will have 100 houses costing P20 million. Two of the projects will be implemented by the provincial government while the other one will be implemented by the municipal government.
During the program, the NHA turned-over two checks worth P30 million for the two projects to Jubahib so that the project will be started immediately.
The remaining P5 million for each projects will be given once 80 percent of the construction will be completed.
The governor of Davao del Norte is thankful for the project given to the town since this will give a big help to its constituents.
Jubahib said the three housing projects will start on February which will have up to four months for its completion.
“Depende sa panahon usab, I-consider nato ang panahon (This will depend on the weather also, we should consider that also),” he said.
He said the houses will be immediately given to the beneficiaries as soon as the project will be completed.
For Faustino, the project will be a big impact to the residents knowing that the area was infested by the NPA before.
The EastMinCom commander said that with the series of development and aid to the residents coming from the government such as the housing projects, the people especially the Indigenous People will not be deceived anymore by the rebels.
For his part, Apuga said the project only prove that the government is really serious in helping their community.
In the past administrations, Apuga shared that he could not feel the aid of the government since it is only more on promises but nothing reached to his community.
But now, the tribal leader said the houses and the concrete roads already given to his place and hopping that there will be more projects that will benefit his tribe.
