Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed fulfillment as he welcomed the turnover of the first 104 housing units at MassKara Village in Barangay Sum-ag.
The flagship socialized housing development by the National Housing Authority (NHA) is designed to give government employees and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) access to high-quality homes at well below market rates, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
During the March 24 ceremonial turnover, the mayor highlighted the significance of Bacolod being selected as a recipient city, noting that many dedicated public servants have long dreamed of homeownership.
“What is most important is that the government ensures our people feel they are remembered through these projects,” Gasataya stated. “For those who do not yet have their own homes, this is a chance to finally purchase a property that is affordable and offered at a very competitive rate. As we know, these prices are significantly lower compared to other private subdivisions or realty developers currently in the market.”
Spanning 7.3 hectares, MassKara Village allocates 60% of its land to housing and 40% to roads and open spaces. The development will have 500 two-storey duplex units, each with an 80-square-meter lot and 60-square-meter floor area.
Units come complete with glazed porcelain tiles on the ground floor, ceramic tiles on the second floor and in bathrooms, and finished wooden stairs. The project was delivered through a public-private partnership between the NHA and Silver Dragon Construction, Lumber & Glass Supply Inc.
NHA Region 6 Manager Rizalino Cabahug said the development is the second of its kind in Negros Occidental, following a similar project in Talisay City.
Valued at approximately P2.2 million per unit, homes are available with flexible financing through Pag-IBIG Fund, with estimated monthly amortizations of P15,000 over a 30-year term.
The ceremony included a symbolic “turnover of keys” and ribbon-cutting led by Gasataya and NHA officials, including Cabahug, NHA Negros Occidental District Office Manager Claire De Lune Villanueva, and Mutual Development Fund Department Manager Lovella Albina. Also present were Exec. Secretary Carmeli Bantug Zayco, representing Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, along with Pag-IBIG Fund representatives and other stakeholders.
Qualified government employees and OFWs from Bacolod and neighboring areas may inquire about remaining units. Of the 500 total units, 300 are available via Pag-IBIG financing, while 200 are designated for NHA In-House financing.*
