Officials of KAPYANAN program and municipal government of Datu Paglas lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the turnover of 50 disaster-resilient housing units in Barangay Katil, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur on May 15, 2026. (Photo courtesy of KAPYANAN)
COTABATO CITY (May 20) — For dozens of poor families in Barangay Katil, receiving the keys to a permanent home marked more than just a housing turnover — it signaled a chance for a safer and more stable future.
Fifty indigent families in Datu Paglas officially received housing units from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through its “Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan” (KAPYANAN) program on May 18.
One beneficiary, identified only as “Babo,” described finally owning a home as a dream come true.
The housing site was designed not only to provide shelter but also to improve community resilience and living conditions in an area vulnerable to poverty and extreme weather.
During the turnover ceremony, Abdullah M. Cusain, BARMM assistant senior minister and KAPYANAN project manager, said the homes were built to withstand strong winds and typhoons.
Each unit also comes with solar-powered lighting, water systems, solar street lights and concrete-lined drainage canals aimed at improving sanitation and disaster preparedness.
Officials said the added infrastructure reflects BARMM’s push for more sustainable and disaster-resilient communities, particularly in underserved areas.
Fatima Mohammad-Malang, KAPYANAN project development officer, introduced a handbook and operations manual to help residents properly maintain the housing units and prepare for emergencies.
Cusain also acknowledged the support of former BARMM chief minister Murad Ebrahim and Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in expanding housing initiatives across the Bangsamoro region.
Since its launch in 2020, the KAPYANAN program has reportedly delivered nearly 3,000 housing units across mainland and island provinces in BARMM.
Datu Ibrahim P. Paglas IV, mayor of Datu Paglas, thanked the BARMM government for selecting the municipality as one of the project sites.
Meanwhile, KAPYANAN legal officer Norjanna T. Lacoto reminded beneficiaries to take care of their new homes, describing the project as “a new beginning” for many families trying to rebuild their lives.
