By Flordalie Pagente-Padillo
Actual accomplishment of the implementation of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Housing / Resettlement Site of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) is now at 21.34% as of August 31, 2021. This after the Notice to Proceed was awarded to MJ Barcelona Construction and Supply last June 23, 2021, for the construction of 32 houses in Sitio Agburi, Cahigon in the Municipality of Calinog.
The IP Housing/Resettlement Site will be the new homes of the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples of Barangay Cahigon whose houses will be submerged during the filling up of the reservoir dam, the Jalaur High Dam. It is a collaborative project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and National Housing Authority (NHA).
As part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the IP communities and NIA, the IP beneficiaries were involved in the planning and design of the houses in the Resettlement Site. They designed the houses with the assistance of NIA and NHA. Each house has a total area of 35 square meters in a 150 meters lot area which will later on be registered under the individual house owners. These single detached houses are furnished with water connection and solar panels for the comfort of the relocated families. It is also guaranteed that the area is safe and conducive residential purpose.
During a meeting with the relocatees last July 21, 2021, a draw lots was held for the determination of their house numbers and block based on which sitio they are currently residing. Seventeen (17) families are from Sitio Agburi, seven (7) from Sitio Agnate, six (6) from Sitio Biaong and one (1) each from Sitio Magarang and Sitio Patag. Aforementioned sitios are all within Barangay Cahigon, Calinog, the only barangay qualified for group relocation based on the Socio-Economic and Cultural Impact Assessment (SECIA) of the project. There are 35 families for relocation in Barangay Cahigon but three (3) of them opted for self-relocation.
The Project Management Office (PMO) of JRMP II together with NHA aims to finish the construction of the houses a year before the completion of the Jalaur High Dam and the filling up of the reservoir. NIA funds the site development of the area while NHA funds the construction of the houses. Last April 30, 2021, NHA transferred the first tranche of its funding in the amount of 15 million pesos from the total allocation of 20 million pesos.
“We are not only providing our brother IPs with new homes, but likewise, opportunities for better lives,” expressed JRMP II Acting Project Manager Engineer Jonel Borres who is optimistic about the recent development in the housing project.
The implementation of the IP Housing / Resettlement Site is closely monitored by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), the funding institution of the project, the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT), and the Joint Monitoring Team (JMT) of the project. They also want to ensure that project-affected families are properly relocated and provided with their basic needs and necessities.
