LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has started allowing Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Mujahideen widows and their families to occupy completed core shelter housing units in Basilan under the Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN) program.

MPW Basilan district engineer Kasim Hasanin confirmed yesterday that the process has begun, with these displaced families now settling into homes built for them by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We have to allow these displaced MILF people of war to occupy the core shelters built for them and their families, so they can have a decent home in this province,” Hasanin said.

As of now, about 200 out of the planned 1,000 core shelter units have been completed in the province. These homes are located on 200-square-meter lots and feature three bedrooms, a dining and living room, and a front porch. The units are also equipped with solar power and a water system to improve living conditions.

“KAPYANAN is a special program initiated by former BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, aimed at providing decent housing to poor Bangsamoro communities and victims of past armed conflicts,” Hasanin explained.

BARMM, through the MPW-Basilan District Engineering Office, allocated P550 million for the construction of the 1,000 core shelters, each costing P550,000. These homes are primarily for victims of armed conflicts in the province.

The project targets areas previously affected by conflict, where many Mujahideen lost their lives during clashes with government forces.

The term “Mujahideen” refers to those who engage in “jihad,” a concept in Islam defined as a struggle or fight in the name of Allah and the Muslim community.

Hasanin detailed the distribution of the core shelter units across the province. In Akbar, 25 units have been allocated, while Al-Barka will receive 200 units and Hadji Mohammad Ajul 125 units. Hadji Muhtamad will receive 25 units, Lantawan 50 units and Maluso 25 units. In Sumisip, 250 units have been set aside, while Tabuan-Lasa and Tipo-Tipo will each receive 25 and 100 units, respectively. Tuburan has been allocated 70 units, and Ungkaya Pukan will receive 50 units.

Lamitan City, which includes 45 barangays, will receive 100 housing units, with Barangay Ba-as getting 57 units and Barangay Santa Clara receiving 43 units.

In addition to the core shelter units, all identified sites will be equipped with solar-powered lights, a water system, solar streetlights, and a linear canal system to improve living conditions.