Permanent Shelters Turn-Over to IDPs in Datu Piang, Maguindanao

24 July 2009


Datu Piang, Maguindanao – Two hundred families of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the different barangays of this municipality who are now housed in the evacuation centers are recipients of the P10 million worth of permanent shelters being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD central office has released an initial P5 million for the construction of one hundred (100) permanent shelters for the IDPs in an estimated area of two (2) hectares as relocation site at Barangay Poblacion.

During the turn-over ceremony of checks to individual beneficiaries initiated by officials from the DSWD Region 12, DSWD-ARMM and Local Government Units of Datu Piang town on July 22, 2009 at the relocation site, one hundred (100) households received checks of P50,000 each for the construction of their houses.

DSWD-ARMM Regional Secretary Bai Soraida Biruar said that the construction of permanent shelters for the IDPs is part of Autonomous Regional Government’s persistent efforts to help the unfortunate condition of the evacuees.

In Datu Piang alone, almost four thousand (4,000) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still in the different evacuation centers since armed conflict between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front erupted in August 2008.

The remaining P5 million for the additional construction of 100 permanent shelters will be released upon completion of the 70 units of the 1st batch of 100, said DSWD-12 representative Ms. Norhata Kanakan Benito.

Aside from the P50,000, household recipients also have an additional cash for work worth P1,550 each for the construction work for their own house, added Benito.

The awarding of the checks was spearheaded by the local officials of Datu Piang headed by its Administrator Mr. Ben Carandang and Mr. Musib Tan, representatives of DSWD-12 Ms. Norhata Benito and Mr. James Tamayo, Maguindanao provincial social welfare officer Ms. Elsie Amil and BCH-ARMM executive director Hadja Bai Badria Andamen. (bpi-armm)