12,000 households in the ARMM to receive core shelters

COTABATO CITY – To improve shelter and living conditions of poor families, about 12,000 households in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will receive core shelters from the regional government’s anti-poverty program.The 7,000 family-beneficiaries in 2018 and 5,000 in 2017 are recipients of ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE), or ‘Apat na Dapat’ program that combats poverty and uplifts the living condition of the poorest households through the provision of basic needs.On Thursday, August 23, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the groundbreaking ceremony of housing projects and distribution of food supplies in the towns of Matanog, Buldon, and Barira in Maguindanao. Gov. Hataman said through the BRIDGE program, beneficiaries will soon move into secure homes since among the basic needs of these families is decent housing. Gagawin po namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang bago matapos ang taon na ito, maibibigay na itong lahat sa inyo, Gov. Hataman said. On August 22, the governor also led the ceremonial breaking of the ground for shelter projects in Barangays Pura and Matuber in Datu Blah Sinsuat. Bago ko iiwan ang ARMM, sa loob ng halos pitong taon na panunungkulan, alam kong nasilbihan ko ang aking mga kababayan ng tama, the ARMM governor said.For 2018, the regional government earmarked roughly P2.9 billion for 7,000 family-beneficiaries. About 5,000 households in the region benefited from P1.9 billion allocated under the program in 2017.Each beneficiary will receive a core shelter in a 120 square-meter lot, food supplies for six months, livelihood training, water and sanitation, and electricity. Official data from the ARMM-BRIDGE showed that P2.2 billion is intended for housing projects, P94 million for water systems, P180 million for supply of electricity, P320 million for food supplies, P140 million for livelihood, and P25 million for hygiene kit.Saira Macauyag, a mother of seven and a beneficiary in Barangay Poblacion in Barira, said she is excited to live in their new home as they currently stay in an abandoned house. Matagal ko na pong pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay kaya kapag natapos na po ito, isang katuparan po ito ng pangarap namin, Macauyag said.For their daily living, Macauyag’s sons are helping her in harvesting corn. Swerte na po kung may dalawang libo kaming kita mula sa pagha-harvestng mais sa isang buwan, kaya malaking tulong po talaga angfood suppliesngARMM-BRIDGEsa amin, she shared.Under the livelihood component, her barangay will receive a mini-grocery store and a vegetable production project. Masaya kami kasi nakikita talaga namin ang malaking pagbabago sa aming lugar, may maayos na rin kaming kalsada dito, pabahay at marami pang iba, she added. (Bureau of Public Information)