Thirty-two families from the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples (IP) community in Sitio Agburi, Barangay Cahigon, Calinog, Iloilo have officially received their new homes under the Indigenous People Housing Project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)–Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).
The turnover ceremony was held on October 28, marking a milestone in the government’s commitment to improve the living conditions of IP communities affected by major infrastructure projects.
Each beneficiary family received a 35-square-meter house built on a 150-square-meter lot, complete with access to basic utilities and a group livelihood program designed to sustain their income.
The project was jointly implemented by NIA, the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the Iloilo Provincial Government, which also facilitated the provision of a water supply system for the housing site.
NIA Regional Manager Engr. Jonel Borres assured continued support for the Panay Bukidnon community through “appropriate and inclusive projects that uphold their welfare.”
Meanwhile, NHA Regional Manager Rizalino Cabahug emphasized that the initiative forms part of the Housing Assistance Program for Indigenous Peoples (HAPIP), a national effort to provide dignified and sustainable shelter for IP families.
The housing project is among the social development components of the multibillion-peso JRMP II, the biggest irrigation project in Western Visayas, seen to benefit thousands of farmers and residents across central Iloilo.IMT
