By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the vision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to reintegrate former rebels, a total of 300 housing units were officially turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) former combatants and their families in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
During the turn over ceremony on Friday (30 August 2024) led by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) Alan Tanjusay and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., 200 indigenous peoples of the Sama, Kalibugan and Subanen indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) received their certificates of ownership in the municipality of Sibuco.
“Bahagi ito ng programa ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na masigurado natin na yung pinaka bulnerable nating komunidad—yung mga indigenous peoples (IPs), mga dati nating combatants—ay siguradong mare-reintegrate nang maayos sa ating lipunan,” Gatchalian told the beneficiaries of the housing units.
An additional 75 housing units funded by the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program – Modified Shelter Assistance Project (MSAP) will also be built in the municipality of Sibuco through the initiative of the local government unit (LGU).
The MSAP is a program jointly-implemented by the DSWD and OPAPRU that provides limited financial or material assistance to augment resources of families in constructing houses in relocation sites.
(ia/mnm)
