COTABATO CITY — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), through its Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment (BRIDGE) program, is set to build 100 core shelters for poor families in the coastal town of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, with local officials headed by Mayor Raida Tomawis-Sinsuat and the 100 family-beneficiaries in attendance.
“The first time I went here, all I saw was the municipal covered court. Now I can see many developments taking place, like the modern town hall and the continuous concreting of roads connecting one barangay to another,” the governor said.
“This is the taxes you paid to the government, and it is being returned to you through development projects and services,” Hataman said.
The governor said that once completed, each shelter would come with a water system connection and solar panel for lighting as added amenities.
On the same day, the beneficiaries also received supplies, including a sack of rice and other essential food items, and hygiene kits that would last for a month. With a budget of PHP2.5 billion, the ARMM-BRIDGE program aims to improve the living condition of 7,000 families in the region this year.
The program package includes providing decent homes and food to poor constituents of the region under the “Apat na Dapat” framework, where each beneficiary shall receive a core shelter, access to clean water, light source, food, and livelihood. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
