ARMM-BRIDGE to build thousands of 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 familybeneficiaries 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 August 23, ARMM Gov. 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 ARMMBRIDGE 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.

For this year, the regional government earmarked roughly P2.9 billion for 7,000 familybeneficiaries. 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-harvest ng mais sa isang buwan, kaya malaking tulong po talaga ang food supplies ng ARMM-BRIDGE sa 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.

And on August 22, some 100 families attended the ceremonial groundbreaking of Armm-bridge core shelter units in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao province.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman also led the groundbreaking ceremony which was participated by town officials. “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 ng Barangay 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.

“Bago ko iiwan ang ARMM, sa loob ng halos pitong taon na panunungkulan, alam kong nasilbihan ko ang aking mga kababayan ng tama,” he said.

Datu Blah Sinsuat Mayor Raida Tomawissinsuat 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 said.

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.