ARMM Gov Hataman turns over homes to Marawi evacuees

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, 3rd from right, Marawi mayor Majul Gandamra, 2nd from right, and Actor Robin Padilla lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the turnover of 100 homes to Marawi displaced families in Pagalamatan, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday. (BPI-ARMM Photo)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) turned over to 100 families displaced by the Marawi Siege a housing project at Barangay Pagalamatan, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday morning.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the turnover of the project under the ARMM's Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE).

The construction of the project worth P300-million began in September last year.

Hataman said the government assures the welfare of all the individuals affected by the 2017 Marawi Siege. "Ang mga proyekto at programa para sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng siege ay hindi kaya ng gobyerno lang, kaya kailangan natin lahat magkaisa," Hataman added. (The projects and programs for all those affected by the siege cannot be done alone by the government; hence we all have to be united.)

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman speaks to hundreds of people during the ARMM turnover of houses to 100 displaced families by the Marawi Siege on Tuesday at Pagalamatan, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. In the presidential table are ARMM vice governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman, Jr. Actor Robin Padilla, Mayor Majul Gandamra and DepEd-ARMM secretary Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr., among other dignitaries who graced the occasion. (BPI-ARMM Photo)

He recognized the help provided by Wahab Pangcoga, village's chief of Pagalamatan who donated a four-hectare parcel of land on which to build 100 houses.

"Pinabilisan talaga natin ang pag-construct para makalipat na iyung mga pamilyang nakatira sa evacuation centers," David Ali, ARMM BRIDGE project manager said. (We really hurried the construction so that families who are living in evacuation centers can transfer immediately.)

He said they prioritized families from the city's ground zero or most affected area.

"On-going din ang construction ng bagong housing project dito sa Saguiaran na may isang daang bahay," he added. (Ongoing also is the construction of new housing project here in Saguiaran which has 100 houses.)

Besides the starter homes, the beneficiaries will receive food supplies and assistance through livelihood programs.

Solaiman Macarambon, one of the 64 evacuee-families staying in the Saguiaran evacuation center for two years said that the project will boost their morale.

"Unti-unti na kaming nawawalan ng pag-asa kaya malaki ang aming pasasalamat dahil mabibigyan na kami ng sariling bahay at hindi na makikipagsiksikan sa evacuation center," Macarambong said. (MASIDING NOOR YAHYA)