HOUSING PROJECT. Governor Edwin Jubahib shows to members of the media a photo of him with the Indigenous Peoples whom he said are situated in the farthest part of Davao del Norte, on Saturday (Aug. 3, 2019). Jubahib also discussed his plans for the IP communities which include housing projects, water systems, access roads, and livelihood projects. (PNA Photo by Che Palicte)
TAGUM, Davao del Norte -- The National Housing Authority (NHA) will be downloading PHP60 million to the provincial government here for the construction of a housing project for the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities and former rebels (FRs) in Talaingod town, in this province.
Governor Edwin Jubahib said that PHP20 million of the said amount was already downloaded to the province while the remaining PHP40 million will be downloaded anytime next week.
The project would cater to the residents of barangays Sto. Niño, Dagohoy, and Palma Gil in said town.
Jubahib confirmed in an interview on Saturday that officials from NHA will visit next week to check the area and finalize details of the project.
“Right after the visit, we will commence the construction of the project right away. The downloaded amount will be used to purchase the materials needed for the project,” he said.
As to the specification of the housing project, the governor has not yet disclosed any details since they are still waiting for the final position from the NHA.
“This project will allow our IP brothers and sisters as well as the FRs to own a permanent shelter and be more productive,” he added.
He also added that the NHA is also eyeing PHP20 million worth of housing project in barangay Gupitan, still in Talaingod town, which would also cater to the same recipients.
In an interview with Talaingod Mayor Jonnie Libayao on Sunday, he said the housing project will greatly help the communities in the said town.
“As to their [IPs] nature, they will not settle in one place. They transfer from time to time. With this housing project, they can now permanently stay in their own house,” Libayao said.
He also added that apart from the housing project, Jubahib vowed to address problems on farm-to-market roads (FMR), water system and livelihood projects in the said town.
Libayao disclosed that they have already submitted their FMR proposal to the governor and just waiting for its approval.
He said that the IPs requested for an access road to market their produce to the neighboring communities.
“We are happy that the provincial government positively responded to our request,” he stressed.
Recently, the provincial government here announced to construct a road project not later than September this year to provide better services in remote tribal villages.
The planned 20-kilometer road project will connect three IP communities in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong town, to the rest of the province.
The said access road will enable quick response and facilitate fast delivery of basic services to Kapalong's three IP villages, located more than a hundred kilometers northeast of the capital city of Tagum. (PNA)
