The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will lead the groundbreaking ceremony for a housing project for farmers and farm workers in Barangay Carayungan Sur, Umingan, Pangasinan Tuesday.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones said a two-hectare land will be the pilot site for the housing project under the "Balai Farmers Housing Program," a partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and other national government agencies.
The proposed P300,000-worth duplex-type housing unit has a 36-square meter floor area, toilet, electrical, and water facilities, as well as tiled floorings and fully painted interior and exterior walls.
"The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) will have an opportunity to avail of this quality and affordable housing. Through this project, farmers would be able to have modern and decent houses to boost their morale, which may result to better crop yield, income, and quality of life," Castriciones said.
The BALAI Farmers Housing Program is a holistic and comprehensive solution aimed at achieving inclusive growth by means of uplifting the quality of lives of farmers, particularly the agrarian reform beneficiaries, through housing, livelihood, education, and technological innovation.
DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla said BALAI stands for Building Adequate Livable, Affordable and Inclusive Farmers' Housing Program.
The program aims to change the landscape of the rural areas where today's farmers' houses are either bare, dilapidated, or makeshift or "barong-barong," she added.
Castriciones will lead the groundbreaking ceremony. The 26,111-square meter lot that will be used as pilot site for the program was donated by the Office of Umingan Mayor Michael Carleone Cruz.
Aside from Umingan, the project will also have pilot sites in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Gabaldon or San Jose City in Nueva Ecija; Basey, Samar; Argao, Cebu; Daet, Camarines Norte; and Calinan, Davao City.