Model units of DAR housing program completed

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has accepted two model houses to be used as display units to show the living space and features of the affordable houses to be constructed for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

DAR Secretary John Castriciones said the ARBs’ housing program, which will be implemented under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), would greatly improve the living conditions of farmer-beneficiaries in the country.

“Most of our farmers and farm-workers are poor and do not own the house they live in. And even if they own it, most of their houses are dilapidated and needs repair. Why? Because the farmers would rather use their money for farming and family expenses than use it for house repairs,” Castriciones said.

“Through this housing project, we expect to achieve inclusive growth by uplifting the quality of lives of farmers and their families. And also through livelihood and educational support programs that we will provide under our support services office,” he added.

Castriciones thanked Ramil Joselito Tamayo, chairman of Future Home Company Ltd. (FHCL) for the model houses.

According to Castriciones, the housing company has been a staunch supporter of providing social housing for the displaced families of typhoon Yolanda.

The donation consisted of two duplex type units with two bedrooms, covering 37 square meters, and one greenhouse for lettuce hydroponics garden with an area of 24 square meters. Both are located inside the DAR compound.

DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla said two other model houses will be donated by FHCL in the following weeks. One will be located in Nueva Vizcaya State University compound and another in San Leonardo Municipal Hall compound in Nueva Ecija.

Padilla said the ARB housing program is demand-driven and the ARBs are free to choose their house design from among the model houses, including model houses from other donors.

“The model houses in Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija will be on temporary display and will be visited and viewed by ARBs. We want them to see the different designs so they can choose which house design would best suit their family,” Padilla said.

She noted that the model house at the DAR compound will be turned into a showroom where ARB products will be on display.