Believing that everybody has the right to the basic necessities in life, Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang targets 50 thousand housing units to be constructed in the next three years in the whole province, to address the housing backlog in the province.
In the groundbreaking ceremony of the provincial government’s housing project in Sitio Magay, City of Mati, Provincial Task Force on Socialized Housing Chief Flordeliza Tabanao disclosed that Gov. Dayanghirang is bent on realizing his aim that no constituent of the province should be left homeless.
“This project covers 15 hectares owned by the Tolentino family. The Governor initiated all the moves for the funding from the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the sister company of the National Housing Authority (NHA). We would like to reiterate that this is a grant, payable within 25 years,” she said.
The Provincial Housing Task Force has organized the beneficiaries now called Mandaya Muslim Bisaya Homeowners Association, Incorporated, as instructed by the Governor.
The groundbreaking covers Phase 1 to Phase 3 of the project, while Phase 4 will be next, as the provincial government made some revisions with the subdivision plan so the area will really be habitable by the beneficiaries.
Gov. Dayanghirang is happy with the groundbreaking finally done, which signals the start of more housing projects in the province.
“This is our way of helping our homeless populace. Any local resident can avail of the project as long as he does not own a house and lot. We do not want to deprive them of the opportunity to own their own house and lot,” he explained.
The provincial government took into consideration the project site. The housing project is also intended for residents in the low-lying areas to get them out from possible danger, and those that will be affected by the implementation of government projects.
“Sitio Magay is not far from the City proper. And developments are going towards the area. And I have foreseen that a few years from now, the market value of the area will increase. So, this is a good site,” Dayanghirang added.
After the groundbreaking, the signing of the memorandum of agreement followed, with the key personalities led by Gov. Dayanghirang, Atty. Arnulfo Cabling, President of the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation, and Ma. Perpetua Tolentino-Cabreros, representing the Tolentino heirs.
Expectedly, the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation will already pay the Tolentino family in the next two months, and as such, construction of the houses will immediately start.
Governor Dayanghirang is now appealing to the local government units in the province to fast track their compliance to the necessary documents so they can avail of the funding from the SHFC.
“They better do it quickly because the allocation of the SHFC is yearly and on a first come, first serve basis. If they cannot do it, the provincial government will do it for them, this is how serious we are in helping them,” he furthered.
Dayanghirang also let out an appeal to the 743 beneficiaries in the three phases of the project.
“Take good care of the property. It’s absolutely a priceless and timeless gift you can hand down to the next generation,” he emphasized. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
