Select members of the National Economic and Development Authority – Management Committee (NEDA-ManCom) travelled to Gadu, Solana, Cagayan to visit the Solana Hills Resettlement Project. The visit took place on June 7, 2024 as part of the two-day ManCom meeting held in Tuguegarao City.

The project, one of the best resettlement projects in the entire country, was implemented through the collaboration between the National Housing Authority (NHA2) and the Local Government Unit of Solana. The project is home now to families formerly living in flood-prone areas of the municipality.

NHA Region 2 and CAR Regional Manager Luis S. Bacamante, together with, Architect Jonel S. Centeno and Engr. Jocelyn S. Sunico, gave a tour around the project site which comprises a total of 176 housing units. They also provided detailed information about the project from its inception, to design, implementation process, and its outcome to the community, particularly the beneficiaries.

The NEDA officials were impressed by the project’s cost-effectiveness, quality and workmanship of the housing units and the related support infrastructure. The visitors sees the project’s potential as a model for future resettlement projects in the country. They commended the implementors for providing safe and affordable housing units to disaster-affected families, emphasizing the role of government in developing disaster resilient communities.

Discussions also highlighted the need for continued financial support for similar initiatives, noting that the Building, Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) program, a primary funding source of NHA, only offers a maximum of PHP25.0 million pesos per project. Said amount is not enough to fund the upcoming Phase 2 of the Solana Hills Resettlement Project which is estimated to double the provided figure.

The visit provided valuable insights to the ManCom members particularly on the importance of national government collaboration with LGUs. The project was implemented and awarded to the beneficiaries during the incumbency of NHA2 and CAR Regional Manager Roderick T. Ibañez and LGU Solana Local Chief Executive Hon. Jennalyn P. Carag.

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