by Beverly C. Paoyon
[ manilastandardtoday.com ] January 27, 2012
ALABEL—The first public-private partnership for housing in Sarangani turned over on Tuesday the first batch of units to 11 beneficiaries.
Governor Miguel Dominguez hailed “The Capitol Residences”, as a model settlement made possible by a joint venture of the provincial government, Home Development Mutual Fund and Sarangani Land and Development Corp.
“This is the first time that the local government unit engages the first private-public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao,” he said, noting the need of local government and national government employees for a decent roof above their head.
Lawyer Darlene Marie Berberabe, HDMF chief executive, cited a lot of negotiations nationwide for the PPP housing but commended Sarangani for being the forefront.
“This is the first turnover I have attended with built-up houses on developed land and a take-out for 11 units,” she said.
Berberabe said looking into the priorities of localities was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to HDMF, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program.
Dominguez said The Capitol Residences could be a “template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing.”
He said the location was conducive for building a community and nurture one’s family “where you can experience fresh air, see Mt. Matutum and catch the breeze coming from Sarangani Bay.”
Lawyer Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, lauded the Sarangani model as an effective way to motivate employees to be more productive civil servants.
“Having a fixed abode is important to every family,” he said, adding that shelter on one’s own property is a basic responsibility.
________________________________________________________________
