TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – On Oct. 14, 352 indigenous people (IPs) received their notices of award of housing from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and Tagum local government unit (LGU), through the City Housing and Land Management Office.
The IPs found their new home at the Masandag Tribal.
“Happy bisan naay pandemic, naa gihapoy ingani na nahitabo. Malipayon kaayo. Nagpasalamat mi sa LGU Tagum, kay Mayor [Allan] Rellon (We are so happy despite the pandemic that this happened. Very happy. We thank LGU Tagum, Mayor Rellon),” said Jennsie Filipino, one of the recipients.
The P80-million resettlement project is a 16-year-long dream of the members of cultural communities in Tagum City who are considered original settlers.
The LGU provided five hectares of land in Bgy. Canocotan.
Tagum City Mayor Rellon said each household only has to pay P300 monthly for five years to obtain their certificate of land title.
Meanwhile, 248 Tagumenyos also received their notices of award and transfer certificate of titles.
Rellon said more Tagumenyos will benefit from the resettlement program.
“It’s all about housing, it’s all about social justice. Para sa mga informal settlers, no land holdings, namuyo sa mga creeks diha, mga squatters sila, nga namuyo na sa Tagum nga gusto nila nga naay sariling yuta na makapatukod og sariling panimalay aron mabuhi sila nga malipayon ug malambuon sa atong syudad sa Tagum (This is for informal settlers, those who live near the creeks and want their own land on which to build their own houses so they can live a happy and decent life in our city of Tagum),” he added. (CIO Tagum) – jlo
