Intended for former NPA members
TACLOBAN CITY– The provincial government of Samar is expanding the ‘Saad nga Balay’ project to more local government units, aiming to help more former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) secure decent housing.
This was disclosed by Governor Sharee Ann Tan who said that the housing project, conceptualized by 801st Brigade commander BGen Lenart Lelina, will also be implemented in Matuguinao town.
Gov. Tan announced plans to construct 30 housing units in Matuguinao, a municipality located in the heart of Samar Island near the boundary with Northern Samar province.
Initially, the provincial government sought assistance from the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the shelter project, but the agency lacked the necessary funds for housing assistance for former rebels.
“Somehow, all the promises we made to the former rebels were fulfilled except for the shelter. We didn’t want there to be any gaps in our assistance, so we initiated this housing project,” Tan explained.
She added that adjustments to the funding for the project would be made based on their experience with the Saad nga Balay project in San Jose de Buan.
“We just have to make sure that the land we are going to use is ready before we can allocate the funds,” the governor said.
The Saad nga Balay project was first implemented in San Jose de Buan, with groundbreaking in August 2023, construction starting in September, and the completion and turnover of the initial 10 houses to beneficiaries in April 2024 with an initial funding of P2.5 million.
This month, Calbiga town held a groundbreaking ceremony for the second Saad nga Balay project, which includes 10 units in Brgy. Polangi, funded by the provincial government with P2.8 million.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
