ARMM-BRIDGE to build 100 core shelters in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao

Cotabato City (August 23, 2018) – A hundred families attended the ceremonial groundbreaking of core shelter units in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Wednesday, August 22. The project is under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (ARMM-BRIDGE).

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman led the groundbreaking ceremony. “Noong unang punta ko sa Datu Blah, ang nakita ko lang ay covered court, ngayon madami nang mga buildings na naitatayo at may municipal hall pa. Ang kalsada ay papalapit na ng papalapit dito sa Barangay Pura, ibig sabihin ay umabot na din ngBarangay Matuber,” said Gov. Hataman.

“Lahat ng proyekto na ito ay hindi proyekto ni Mujiv Hataman kundi ng gobyerno at ang proyekto ng gobyerno na ito ay nagmula din sa mga tao ang pera na ginamit dito. Dapat ibinabalik lang namin sa inyo,” he added, giving credit to his constituents.

Datu Blah Sinsuat Mayor Raida Tomawis-Sinsuat said she was thankful to the regional government for its efforts to ‘rescue’ the municipality since it is not entitled to an internal revenue allotment. “Sa dami ng naitulong ng regional government, hindi makita na itong bayan ay walang pondo galing sa national government,” she said.

Barangay Pura resident Esmail Maladjanan, 61, finds relief in being one of the beneficiaries of the project. “Mangingisda ako. Hindi ko naisip na magkakaroon ako ng bahay na sementado dahil hindi naman malaki ang kita ko sa pangingisda,” he said. “Bukod sa magkakaroon  na kami ng bahay, malaking tulong yung supply ng bigas at mga pagkain,” he added.

With a budget of P2.5 billion, the regional government’s BRIDGE program aims at improving the living conditions of 7,000 families in the region within the year. Each shelter unit is equipped with connection to water system and a solar panel for light source.

Aside from housing units, the beneficiaries also receive supplies including a sack of rice and other essential food items and hygiene kits that will last for a month. A series of meetings with local residents is being done to come up with a livelihood plan for the sustainability of the development in the community as well.

The ARMM-BRIDGE program provides decent homes and food to poor constituents of the region. Under the ‘Apat na Dapat’ framework of the office, each beneficiary shall receive a core shelter, access to clean water, light source, as well as food and livelihood. (By JONG CADION with PR from Bureau of Public Information)