The Banilad Plainview socialized housing project, worth P74 million, will soon rise in Dumaguete City, with the groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 7 led by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and National Housing Authority Negros Oriental and Siquijor officer-in-charge, Engr. Marc Peterson Ng.
The two four-storey buildings are intended for 96 families, who were victims of Typhoon Sendong, and those residing near danger zones at-risk for flooding, the city said.
Remollo recounted the years-long efforts, including litigation, before the city government and NHA acquired the 3.7-hectare property.
Ng expressed his gratitude to Remollo for his focus and sincere efforts in the acquisition of the property and the development of the Banilad Plainview for it to become an ideal site for families to grow and thrive in a decent environment.
Target recipients of the socialized housing, as identified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, were also present during the ceremony and they expressed appreciation to the city for providing them with livelihood assistance and decent shelter.
Last year, the city government earmarked P100 million for the socialized housing project in Banilad Plainview. The Bwaha Construction was eventually awarded the project since it has the lowest responsive bid of P74 million, giving the city savings of P26 million.
Remollo said the P26 million savings can be used to fund the provision/installation of elevators for easier and safer access, especially by senior citizens and PWDs, to the 96 units in the four-storey building.
For the Typhoon Sendong victims now temporarily residing at Lunoy Barangay Junob, Remollo said he is open to the idea that they just stay in their present location, subject to final discussion among the stakeholders.
He noted that Banilad Plainview is in a very strategic location, considering that it is near the proposed Dumaguete International Airport, government center in Barangay Bajumpandan, the Hermenigilda Gloria Elementary School and Memorial High School, Negros Oriental State University Campus 2, and a church just along the south national highway.
Part of the land development of Banilad Plainview includes the clearing of obstructions, installation of electrical lines, water supply, drainage system, a public park, and a paved road network. ||
