DAVAO ORIENTAL— The beneficiaries of the massive housing project here are expressing their thanks to the Provincial Government for the realization of their long-envisioned safe and affordable homes following the ground breaking ceremony on June 29 at Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati.

A total of 743 families are the initial beneficiaries of the Provincial Government’s housing project through the Community Mortgage Program implemented in partnership with the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).

“This is it. This is what we have been waiting for. Many were doubtful at the beginning but we did not lose hope because this is our chance to leave our house near the coastline,” said Catalina Molejon, one of the beneficiaries whose application was easily approved as the program prioritizes those who live in danger zones, near waterways, near rivers, landslide prone areas or those susceptible to calamities, and areas affected by government infrastructure projects.

Overwhelmed, she added “Thank you Governor Dayanghirang for looking out for our needs, we love you, sir.”

The ground breaking ceremony took place a year after Governor Nelson Dayanghirang signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SHFC President Atty. Arnulfo Cabling.

During the ground breaking ceremony, the Governor once again signed an agreement.  This time, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which marks the start of the construction once the SHFC has paid the owner of the 15-hectare land. The MOA was entered between the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental represented by Governor Dayanghirang, SHFC represented by Atty. Cabling, landowner represented by Maria Perpetua Cabreros, and the chairpersons of the three associations, the Muslim Mandaya Bisaya Home Owners Association Incorporated (MMBHOAI) Phase 1, 2, and 3.

“I am really thankful to Governor Dayanghirang for addressing one of our basic needs. We earn a meager income and we need a house near the schools here for my daughter who studies,” said Lyndon Malla.

“I am happy because our monthly income is not enough for us to build our own house. That is why we really availed of this program of the government because we can afford the monthly payment,” said Victoria Trinidad. For every 100 square meter lot and house, the beneficiary will only pay P2,800 monthly, payable up to 25 years.

The beneficiaries will also expect more facilities to rise in the site as Governor Dayanghirang says that part of the project is the establishment of recreation areas.

“We will support the community then part of development is the recreation area like covered court, stage, daycare center, and chapel,” he said.

Second District Representative Congressman Mayo Z. Almario also committed to provide other projects needed by the community.

Homeless residents from the different municipalities of this province were also given allocation as the provincial government targets to build more than 50,000 housing units in three years.

“We realize that there are more than 50,000 backlogs in Davao Oriental, and the majority are from City of Mati,” said Provincial Chief of Staff Ednar Dayanghirang. He said that this effort is in line with the Governor’s main thrust which is to reduce poverty.

“The Governance Framework of the governor aims to reduce poverty. And being homeless is one of the measures for being impoverished. So, providing housing to the homeless is an answer towards this goal,” he added.

Governor Dayanghirang said he has ordered the Municipal Mayors to fast-track the processing of documents to its identified beneficiaries to reach its target on time. The housing project in other areas of the province are still on its early stages, such as social preparation and area zoning.

“We are the first province to implement this, and we will implement thisnot only in the City of Mati but as well as in all the municipalities that is why I have issued an order to the mayors to fast-track the document processing. Because the allocation for socialized housing is every year and we have to take advantage of that,” the governor said.

Cabling said the SHFC’s Community Mortgage Program will ease the province in addressing its backlog on housing as the beneficiaries organize themselves into associations to lower the cost of the housing units and lots. He asked for the beneficiaries’ full support for the project’s successful implementation.

“Your cooperation is the key towards the success of this project. That’s why we don’t call you beneficiaries we call you home partners. One of the most important elements of this project is the sense of neighborhood so that we will help each other out in solving future problems,” he said. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan