ALEOSAN, COTABATO – The NHA XII in partnership with the Municipal Government of Aleosan and other stakeholders held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Palacat Village Indigenous Peoples (IP) Housing Project in Barangay Palacat, Aleosan, Cotabato province.
The ceremony which was held on September 28, 2021, signals the commencement of the construction of 100 housing units intended for the Manobo ICC in the village.
The first tranche funding assistance from the NHA amounting to Php 15 million was already released to the Municipal Government Unit of Aleosan on May 25, 2021, while the two (2) hectares of land were donated by Palacat Elementary School-Aleosan West District for the construction of the said housing project.
Gracing the event were NHA XII Regional Manager, Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles, Mayor Vicente C. Sorupia, Jr., Ms. Grace Pastolero, Principal-In-Charge Aleosan West District, Board Member Rosalie Cabaya, Barangay Palacat Officials and tribal leaders. Mayor Sorupia expressed his high regard for the IP beneficiaries and committed that the MLGU will give its full support for the development of Manobo ICCs
.Delighted in her message, Ms. Pastolero remarked that access to education will be made easier for the children of the housing beneficiaries as the project site is adjacent to the school, which will eventually lessen the dropout rate and absenteeism problem of the Palacat Elementary School. “Learners will no longer cross the Malitubog River every day going to school, which would facilitate meaningful learning to the children as well as help the school achieve its target”, she added.
Engr. Cabiles lauded all the partner stakeholders for the cooperation and realization of the project. She assured the beneficiaries to intensively monitor the project implementation up to completion for the benefit and welfare of the Indigenous Peoples.
