TACLOBAN CITY – Military forces from the 87th Infantry Battalion (87th IB), stationed in San Jose de Buan, Samar, are currently constructing seven additional homes for former rebels under the Saad nga Balay Project. This initiative adds to the ten houses previously completed, funded by the Samar provincial government.
Of the seven new homes, six are financed by the San Jose de Buan municipal government, and one is made possible through a donation from Senator Robinhood Padilla.
According to a statement from the 87th IB, two of the seven houses are nearing completion.
“The ongoing construction of seven new houses marks a significant milestone in the government’s initiative to reintegrate former rebels into peaceful communities and assist them in rebuilding their lives. These houses are designed to offer safe and decent living conditions, complete with essential facilities to ensure comfort for the beneficiaries and their families,” the statement read.
The construction of the Saad nga Balay Project in San Jose de Buan began on August 18, 2023, with the first ten houses turned over on April 6, 2024.
The project was conceptualized by 801st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Lenart Lelina and funded by the provincial government, which allocated P2.5 million, with an additional P1.5 million from the municipal government of San Jose de Buan.
Located on a 3.4-hectare property provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, each housing unit is designed with a half-concrete, half-amakan structure, featuring two bedrooms and a bathroom.
This reintegration initiative is further supported by several government agencies, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Samar Police Provincial Office, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
