• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The first ever local government unit-led mass housing project, in tandem with Pag-IBIG, will soon rise in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, with 234 units up for construction, recently disclosed Mayor John Rey Tabujara.
Tabujara said that the construction of three model houses at the Montevista Homes, which is a located at a 5-hectare property in Brgy. 1 Poblacion, Cauayan, will immediately commence after the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between municipal government, Pag-IBIG Fund and its developer.
He reported that 41 municipal employees of Cauayan have expressed their intention to avail of lots with housing units, and are already qualified and given priority for availment. At the same time, other government employees, such police officers and teachers, among others, may also avail of it.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who witnessed the signing of MOU, and inauguration of the project on January 21, lauded all Cauayanons and local officials for rising above the challenges and difficulties, particularly brought about by natural disasters that had affected their lives.
Lacson also assured of the provincial and local government’s support in ushering Cauayan toward its full potential.
“Trying to address homelessness in the Philippines is truly a tall order but not entirely unattainable. It is for this reason that I am truly pleased with today’s development here in Cauayan,” Lacson said.
After 12 years of developing the housing site, which used to be a relocation area, using LGU funds, Tabujara reported that site development was already completed, including perimeter fences, electricity, septic tanks and road concreting.
Each lot measures 126 square meters, valued at P1,000 per square meter. The total value of the house and lot is P1.2 million, the mayor said.
The signing of MOU was also attended by Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, and Earth-Based Habitat Builders and Integrated Services (EHBIS), Inc., JF Ledesma Foundation, Inc., and Circle Forge, Inc., represented by its CEO Dr. Billy Tusalem, Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, which also coincided with the week-long celebration of the town Lubay Lubay Festival.*
