GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A total of 97 poor families in Malungon town in Sarangani Province have received free housing units from Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.
Malungon Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino said Tuesday the beneficiaries comprised of selected “homeless” residents of the area who have qualified for the “MP Pahahay Project” of Senator Pacquiao.
She said they initially turned over last week an initial 77 housing units to the beneficiaries while the remaining 20 will be awarded soon by the senator in another event.
The mayor said the construction of the housing units, composed of single and duplex types, was personally funded by the senator.
She said they were built on a 1.5-hectare subdivided land in Barangay Poblacion and just beside the one hectare lot donated by the senator for the new barangay hall compound.
“Beneficiaries are not allowed to sell or convert their respective homes into rooming houses for those who do not reside in this town,” she said.
The site, which is adjacent to the town’s public market, was part of the 9-hectare land acquired several years ago by the Pacquiao family, she said.
“Aside from the housing units, a community plaza, playground and other facilities will be constructed at the site,” the mayor said.
Constantino said the housing project’s implementation has passed government standards and evaluation of the local government in coordination with the recipient barangay.
She said the selection of the beneficiaries and distribution of the housing units was approved by Senator Pacquiao.
The mayor said the projects shows the senator’s “love for Malungon,” especially its poor constituents.
Malungon, she said, is close to the heart of the senator, with the latter even including his previous stint as the town’s tourism ambassador in his resume.
“This is out of the goodness of his heart and by the grace of God. We are really grateful for this project,” she said. (PNA)