TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A soon-to-rise township project called “Lumin-awa Residences” located in Sitio Callagdao, Bulanao will feature vertical housing, the first of its kind in the Cordillera region as part of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program which was started during the Marcos administration.
Housing for 1,125 people will be available in the two-hectare “Lumin-awa Residences” complex, which will be made up of nine five-story buildings with 125 condo units per building.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero praised the provincial government and other involved organizations for the project, while pointing out the province and the city’s overall housing backlog in his message during the groundbreaking event on August 28, 2024. “This seeks to reduce the housing backlog for the entire Philippines, not just in Kalinga,” he stated.
He also expressed his willingness to support a similar project for the city mentioning the signed memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with DHSUD ASec Daryll Bryan Villanueva in 2023 and the planned housing project with the DHSUD which was postponed as the city government met difficulty in purchasing land due to many restrictions and regulations.
In his message, ASec Villanueva highlighted the mayor’s “eagerness” to see the project through and gave him the assurance that the signed MOC will push through. “Hindi po tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin nasisimulan ‘yan, bago matapos ang termino ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos. Rest assured, kasi nakita ko kung gaano kayo ka-excited noon,” he said.
Villanueva added that although delays were caused by budgetary difficulties, some lots were suggested for the project in question. “May mga proposal na po na lupa, nagkaroon lang po ng challenges sa presyo. Gayun pa man, malawak naman po ang Tabuk, nandito po kami, ang aming regional office team para tumulong, para magkaroon din po tayo ng additional site,” he added. By Tabuk PIO
