The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) represented by Director Zenaida Arevalo of Regional Office IX recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the 52ndEngineering Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines represented by Col. Reynaldo Mutiangpili for the construction of the 96 bunkhouses for victims of the armed conflict in Zamboanga who are staying at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex. The MoA signing was held at the DSWD Regional Office.

The MOA stipulates the arrangements of both parties in the realization of the P10.8M worth of temporary shelters for the armed conflict victims.

As agreed, both parties shall jointly formulate plans and specifications as well as programs of work for the construction of bunkhouses, latrines, and kitchen.

According to Director Arevalo, the labor or workforce will be hired from the project’s beneficiaries. “We are going to tap the beneficiaries themselves particularly the family heads for the additional help that the engineering brigade needs for the project. This is to maximize their participation/involvement and to imbibe in them the sense of ownership over these shelters,” she said.

As arranged, the funds that will be transferred to the AFP Engineering Brigade will be in a form of check and shall be released within this week.

Inline image 2 The DSWD and the Engineering Brigade have started to build the bunkhouses at the JFE Sports Complex. Col. Mutiangpili said that his group can complete the project in 60 days. Due to the urgency, Col. Mutianglili stressed that they intend to fast track the work in the interest of providing comfort to the families as soon as possible and before the yuletide season begins this December.

The Engineering brigade is slated to build 21 bunkhouses at JFE Sports Complex. Each bunkhouse has 12 rooms with each room to accommodate one (1) family of 6-10 members. Estimated cost for each bunkhouse is Php 516,284 with a total amount of P10,841,964 for the 21 bunkhouses.

To ensure transparency and accountability, Director Arevalo said both parties shall comply with the provision on standard reporting such as the submission of bi-monthly accomplishment status and physical and audited financial reports, which shall be made readily available to the inquiring public. ### October 22, 2013 (DSWD-Social Marketing Service)