LAMITAN CITY—Bangsamoro Government has ceremonially handed over fifty (50) well-appointed homes to their deserving recipients—former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and widows—in the heart of Barangay Tuburan proper, Muhammad Ajul, Basilan, on May 2, 2024.
The ceremony marks a new beginning for these individuals, offering them not just shelter, but also hope for the future as they enjoy civilian life.
The turnover ceremony, held at Sitio Marang-Marang 114th MILF Base command, was presided over by Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra, Deputy Minister Aldin Asiri, Director General Esmael Ebrahim, former MP and current MENRE Deputy Minister Muslima Asmawil, and Provincial Director Ibrahim Haruddain, among others.
Housing Minister Barra highlighted the initiative of the late Mujahid Abubakar, former MILF western front commander, whose efforts for his people are now continued by his daughter through this housing project.
“We are very happy the initiative of former front commander Mujahid Abubakar is continued by his daughter MENRE Deputy Muslima Asmawil through housing project, and this is part of what the Chief Minister is committed to—reaching every corner of the Bangsamoro region,” Barra remarked.
He also expressed gratitude for the inclusion of this project among the priorities funded by the Special Development Fund (SDF), emphasizing the importance of developing not just houses, but homes, to foster a progressive Bangsamoro community.
“We are happy kasama kayo sa mga priority na nabigyan ng Special Development Fund (SDF) projects dito sa pabahay,” he said.
Former MP Muslima Asmawil also extended her gratitude to Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim for the continuous support to former MILF combatants through MHSD.
“This place is memorable to me as this is one [of the legacies of my late father]. I want to revive this area,” Asmawil said.
She shared that Sitio Marang-Marang holds significance for Asmawil, as it is intertwined with the legacies of her late father and other prominent figures from Basilan.
“Sitio Marang-Marang is an ordinary place yet thriving as most prominent persons in Basilan are originally from here such as Parliament Deputy Speaker Hatimil Hassan, former Governor, and former Deputy Speaker of Congress Gerry Salapuddin, Western Front MILF commander late Mujahid Abubakar, among others,” she said.
Farida Darul, 56, one of the beneficiaries expressed her gratitude to the BARMM leadership for providing them with beautiful shelters.
The turnover of this housing project holds great significance for the beneficiaries as they witness the fruition of their struggles. (Majid Nur/BIO)
