Construction of 2,340 core shelters in Maguindanao to start January

COTABATO CITY – Construction of some 2,340 core shelters for internally displaced persons in Maguindanao will start on January following the turnover Friday of a P62-million check to the autonomous government of Muslim Mindanao.

Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the fund was meant to construct additional housing units for Maguindanao residents displaced by the 2008 armed conflict between government forces and Moro rebels.

Officer in charge Vice Governor Bainon Karon received the check in simple rite held at the Palace and witnessed by provincial executives and other local officials.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the handover ceremony manifested the sincerity of the President to foster peace and harmony in conflict-affected areas occupied by Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement of Ameril Umra Kato.

“I was told that the construction of the more than 2,000 core shelters which starts next month would be completed by April or May,” said Mangudadatu.

He said the housing project would involve 11 villages located in the towns of Talayan, Datu Midtimbang, Datu Piang, Datu Saudi and Anggal. Charlie C. Señase, Inquirer Mindanao