322 houses to be given to homeless families in Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY – At least 322 additional housing units for homeless and displaced families will be erected in a lot here under the local government’s resettlement project, reports from the city’s legal department said.

On Friday, City legal officer Christoper Cabilen led an inspection team, composed of the project contractor, city engineer, planning and development officer, and representatives from the National Housing Authority (NHA), where they conducted a relocation survey at Purok-8, Barangay Sudapin.

Cabilen said the five-hectare lot intended for the Resettlement Housing Project Phase 4 of the city LGU was purchased by the previous administration, many years ago.

The project costs

But because of problems on R34 million. ownership and alleged encroachment, the development was put on hold, reports said.

In 2013, the LGU had decided to push through with the project, but was stalled because of some legal issues.

In June 2018, Cabilen said the LGU decided to continue with the project after the Commission on Audit (CoA) made an inquiry as to its status.

During the ocular visit, a group of protesters from the Sibug clan arrived at the site and questioned the process. They claimed they owned the land.

Jennifer Sibug, former employee at the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), said the city, despite its knowledge that the lot ownership was “in question”, still purchased it in 2010.

“We already filed cases at a local court here. These cases are still pending until now,” said Sibug.