NHA commits to allocate PhP29-M for Zambo siege victims

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=947790
• Friday, December 16, 2016

(PNA), NYP/TPGJR/

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The National Housing Authority (NHA) has committed to allocate PhP 29-million to help the city government in addressing the needs of its thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs)during the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday said the commitment was made by new NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada when they recently met.

Salazar said the PhP 29-M fund allocation would be used to purchase a lot to construct the permanent shelters for the IDP - families presently housed in different transitory sites.

There are still around 4,000 families housed in 12 transitory sites in this city. They are among the more than 100,000 people displaced by the 21-day Zamboanga siege in September 2013.

The siege started on Sept. 9, 2013 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to former MNLF chair Nur Misuari infiltrated and laid siege in four coastal villages of this city.

Salazar said the city government will purchase the Chiong property in Barangay Sta. Barbara where permanent shelters are to be constructed under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R).

The Z3R is the blueprint for the permanent shelters intended for the siege-displaced families.

Meanwhile, Salazar also met with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) primarily to review all Z3R projects.

She said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar called for the meeting upon receipt of the information that thousands of IDPs still do not have permanent houses, three years after the siege.