MSSD-BARMM Provides New Homes for Up to 74 Displaced Muslim Families in Maguindanao del Sur
COTABATO CITY (May 27, 2024) – The Bangsamoro regional government has established a new village in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, in the province of Maguindanao del Sur, to provide housing for up to 74 Muslim families displaced by armed conflicts. This initiative aims to offer stability and a sense of community to families affected by years of violence and displacement.
Local officials in Ampatuan confirmed that the family beneficiaries would move into new homes built by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The houses, constructed near the beneficiaries’ farms, will enable the families to continue their livelihood activities, the ministry said.
The regional government turns over the houses to the beneficiaries on April 30. However, the actual relocation will begin once the installation of water and power connections is completed.
MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie expressed her gratitude to the municipal government of Ampatuan for donating land for the housing project, which cost PhP 500,000 per house unit.
“This housing project is for families that have suffered a lot from recurrent displacement due to peace and security issues,” Jajurie said.
Norhaya Alim, one of the project beneficiaries, shared her relief at finally having a permanent home. She recounted how her family had been forced to move from one barangay to another over the past two decades due to armed clashes. (Sahara A. Saban, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
