BARMM Turns Over 100 Solar-Powered Housing Project to Bangsamoro Residents in Mati

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 22, 2025) — A major intergovernmental effort to support Bangsamoro families culminated on June 20 with the official handover of 100 solar-powered houses in Sitio Butuasan, Barangay Dahican, Mati City. The housing project, implemented through the collaboration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the City Government of Mati, aims to benefit Muslim families who have faced displacement or economic marginalization over the years.

As shared in a post by the Mati City LGU, the housing development represents a historic milestone for BARMM, being its first infrastructure project realized outside the region’s jurisdiction. The homes were built under the Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN) initiative and stand on a three-hectare property donated by Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat—an act recognized as crucial to the project’s completion.

Each housing unit is built on a 130-square meter lot, featuring a 30-square meter, three-bedroom layout. What sets the project apart is its full reliance on solar energy, made possible by high-capacity solar panel systems that provide sustainable, off-grid electricity for each household—positioning the site as a model for green community development in the region.

Key figures from both BARMM and Mati City attended the turnover ceremony. Among them were Deputy Minister Abdullah Cusain, who emphasized BARMM’s ongoing responsibility to support Bangsamoro communities wherever they reside. Councilor Xander Alcantara and MILF’s Roy Lopez also honored the late Councilor Bong Alcantara for his role in initiating the project, which began in 2022 and was completed this year.

According to City Housing Officer Ma. Eden Thelma Quiñones, the P70-million undertaking also includes road networks and drainage systems, enhancing the overall livability of the site. As families finalize their occupancy documents, the initiative marks a step forward in delivering inclusive growth and reaffirming BARMM’s mission to uplift Bangsamoro communities through programs like KAPYANAN, which focuses on shelter, sanitation, and sustainable livelihood support. (Gandhi C. Kinjiyo, BMN/BangsamoroToday)