ILOILO CITY – Construction is underway for the P20-million housing project for the Panay Bukidnon, an indigenous peoples (IP) group affected by the mega dam project in Calinog town, Iloilo province.
The housing project is for an initial 35 Panay Bukidnon families who were displaced by the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP-II), the P11.2-billion project undertaken by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in building three separate dams and reservoirs.
Engr. Jonel Borres, JRMP-II project manager, disclosed that the construction rate for the housing site at Sitio Agburi of Cahigon village has reached almost 25 percent.
With the assistance of National Housing Authority (NHA) and NIA-6, the Panay Bukidnon members themselves were also part of the planning and design process.
“These single-detached houses will be furnished with water connection and solar panels for the comfort of the relocated families,” said Borres.
“We also guarantee that the area is safe,” added Borres.
NIA-6 is looking to finish construction of the housing project by 2022, which is a year before the target construction completion for the three dams and reservoirs.