NHA honors Mlang for successful IP housing project

MLANG, North Cotabato-- A housing project in Mlang, North Cotabato brings honors to the local government and its citizens, Mlang Mayor Joselito Pinol said today. Pinol refused to claim credit for the feat from the National Housing Authority (NHA) where no less than President Aquino handed over the plaque of recognition during the NFA anniversary program in Manila. He said the successful implementation of the housing project for Indigenous Peoples were joint efforts of all stakeholders in the local government. The housing projects for Blaan tribes people were funded by NHA with counterpart funding from the local government unit. This is a clear indication of true government service for less fortunate residents, Pinol said in a radio interview. Twenty five of the 50 housing projects have been completed and formally turned over to Blaan people in a three hectare lot in Sitio Biao, Barangay New Esperanza, Mlang, North Cotabato. Construction for 25 other housing units are on going and expected to be completed by December. Actually, according to Pinol, funds from NHA came in a little late but with the joint efforts of concerned government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the town engineering office, the project was fast tracked and completed ahead of schedule. He also announced that NHA has already downloaded the additional funds for the completion of another 25 housing units. Pinol said the state-run University of South Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato also contributed in the project by establishing a communal garden area which caught the eye of NHA officials. The backyard garden was excellent that NHA made it a model for other housing project in the country to emulate, Pinol said.