ARMM breaks ground on core shelter program for Marawi IDPs

By Yas Ocampo
DAVAO CITY – The Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has broken ground on the core shelters in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur as a part of the core shelter program for Marawi’s internally displaced persons (IDPs).

(Photo courtesy of ARMM Bureau of Public Information / MANILA BULLETIN)

Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led the groundbreaking ceremony of the ‘Pabahay ng ARMM’ housing project in Brgy. Pagalamatan, Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur on Wednesday, September 12, the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information said.

The housing project is intended for families displaced by the Marawi Siege last year particularly those staying at the covered court and people’s park in Saguiaran’s municipal government compound.

Gov. Hataman thanked Pagalamatan Barangay Chairman Wahab Pangcoga for donating his own land for the project.

“Sisikapin natin na matapos ang proyekto na ito bago pa man matapos ang taon para sa mga kababayan natin naapektuhan ng Marawi Siege,” he added. (We will try to finish the construction before the end of the year.)

Aside from permanent shelters, the governor also plans to build a prayer house (Mosque) and a covered court within the area intended for internally displaced persons.

Luvizminda Sani, chief of Lanao del Sur’s First District Engineering Office, said the shelter project will consist of 200 housing units with water system.

The total land area for 50 core shelters measures 10,000 square meters or one hectare. Each housing unit measures 36 square meters in floor area and 120 square meters in lot area. Each unit would cost P300,000 to build.

The housing project is equipped with solar panels and water systems and is part of the ‘Apat na Dapat’ framework of the ARMM – Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment, or ARMM-BRIDGE, which aims to provide decent homes, food, water, light, and livelihood to the region’s constituents.