MUNAI, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — Over 100 housing units will be constructed for decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants in Camp Bilal in this town following a groundbreaking ceremony held on December 20.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) in collaboration with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and other government agencies, is part of the broader Camps Transformation Plan (CTP). The CTP, a six-year program from 2021 to 2026, aims to transform former MILF camps into peaceful and productive communities.
Each housing unit, designed with a 200-square-meter lot area and a 48-square-meter floor area, costs approximately P650,000.
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. emphasized that the housing project aims to create sustainable and secured housing for decommissioned MILF combatants.
“As we move forward, I urge our partners from the national, local, and Bangsamoro governments to continue working closely with OPAPRU as we roll out other peace and development initiatives in the BARMM. We must continue to harness the power of synergy, inclusiveness, and collaboration so that our programs and projects will have a greater impact on the lives of the Filipino people,” he said.
Meanwhile, NHA-9 and BARMM Regional Manager Al-Khwarizmi U. Indanan affirmed their commitment to transform Camp Bilal into a community with peace, reconciliation, and unity.
“This groundbreaking event serves to honor the past as we embrace the future. This project promises to showcase the whole-of-nation approach in building communities,” he said.
With this, Member of Parliament Abdullah “Commander Bravo” Macapaar also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces and decommissioned combatants.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating gobyerno, local government, provincial government, at national government dahil hindi namin mararating ang puntong ito na mabigyan kami ng housing para sa mga decommissioned combatants,” he said.
(We are grateful to our government, local government, provincial government, and national government because we would not have reached this point of being provided housing for decommissioned combatants.)
Alexander Limbo, 63, a decommissioned MILF combatant with eight children, expressed his happiness and gratitude for being provided a house by the government and thanked President Bongbong Marcos Jr. for the support.
Moreover, Gov. Imelda “Angging” Quibranza Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte shared that she already had discussions with Bravo about plans for integrating livelihood programs such as agriculture training, TESDA-led skills development, and cooperative organization to ensure a holistic approach to community development.
“Kahit hindi na ninyo ako gobernador, I will see to it na hindi kayo mapapabayaan (Even though I am no longer your governor, I will make sure that you will not be neglected),” she assured the beneficiaries,” she said. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
