The Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi led by Hon. Gov Yshmael “Mang” I. Sali and the Ministry of Human Settlement and Development (MHSD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) represented by Minister Hamid Barra recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of additional 100 housing units for the Badjaos in the province. Aside from the housing units, BARMM-MHSD will also construct one training center for them. The breakdown of the housing units are as follows: 50 for the Municipality of Mapun, and 50 for Languyan Municipality.
“And there would be more housing projects for the entire province” says Minister Barra and MHSD Director General Esmael Ebrahim during the MOA signing. “The Housing units are for our Badjao community” added Barra.
The housing units is in addition to the Madinatul Badjao at Simunul, Sapa2, Tandubas and Bongao. Each house has 3 rooms based on the Islamic principle of 1 room for the couple, 1 room for anak na babae and 1 room for anak na lalaki. The Madinatul Badjao has 4 lanes road, with flea market, health unit, school and madrasa. They will be assisted on livelihood projects that aims to preserve their culture, means of livelihood that had been part of their daily lives. (Cecil Abuy)