Some 200 farmers from the town of Albay will benefit from a low-cost socialized housing project under the Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive Filipino Communities (BALAI) project, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced on Wednesday.

A joint undertaking of the DAR and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), BALAI aims to provide affordable housing units to agrarian reform beneficiaries.

DAR Provincial Office of Albay led the ceremonial ground breaking recently with BALAI National Coordinator Raymund A. Matic along with Tech4Ed Head Dra. Leilani D. Pavilando, Guinobatan, Albay Vice Mayor Ann Y. Ongjoco, DAR Director Roberto Gavina, Guinobatan Agrarian Reform Chief Jocelyn Naz, and BALAI Regional Coordinator Lolita Adricula.

Regional Director officer in  charge Rodrigo O. Realubit said 200 units of bungalow-type houses will be constructed on a 2.6-hectare parcel of land in Barangay Upper Binogsacan donated by the local government of Guinobatan, an area overlooking the majestic Mount Mayon.

“This initiative not only intends to provide the poor with a home but also to honor our unsung heroes—our farmers, who are among the most neglected sectors of our society,” Realubit said in a news release.

About 170 units would be allocated to eligible members of the dairy cooperative with no houses, while the remaining units will be made available to other low-income farmers in the area.

“The 36-square-meter concrete homes will have two bedrooms, one toilet with electricity and water connections, a granite kitchen, tiled floors, and completely painted interior and exterior walls,” Realubit said.

Each house costs P520,000.00, which will be paid by the farmers over a maximum of 25 years at only 2 percent to 3 percent annual interest.

Albay OIC-Provincial head Patricia Rastrullo said that aside from the houses, the DAR would provide livelihood programs for the beneficiaries within the location to make the housing package financially inclusive to the farmers.

Rastrullo expressed his gratitude to Ongjoco who supported and provided the land for the housing project.

“This is a milestone. We are very thankful for this initiative, which will create modest and affordable dwelling units for our farmers. Through this project, their families will have the opportunity not only to live in a more comfortable home but also to improve their lives and economic condition,” Rastrullo said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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