Shelter agency eyes BARMM projects

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) have partnered to explore housing and community development opportunities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The partnership was formalized Thursday through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed as part of the National Shelter Month 2026 celebration.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, MinDA chairperson Leo Tereso Magno, and Philippine Community Housing Corp. president and CEO Tan Chee Siong signed the agreement for the “Building Better Moro Homes: Integrated Housing and Community Development Initiative with Support for Camp Transformation in BARMM.”

Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity witnessed the signing ceremony at the Premiere Guest House in Malacañang.

The agreement establishes a framework for the three parties to assess the proposed initiative’s technical, financial, legal, institutional, and operational viability. It also seeks to identify workable approaches to expanding access to safe, decent, and affordable housing for communities in BARMM.

Wholistic thrust

Under the MoU, DHSUD and MinDA will facilitate information sharing, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of the project’s feasibility and possible implementation arrangements.