Gov’s promise to give Abra workers homes realized soon

By Maritess B. Beñas

PENARUBIA, Abra -- Homeless employees in the province may soon have their own homes with the development of the Kit’s Ville in Penarrubia now underway.

The housing project was one of the promises of Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin when he assumed into office in his first term in 2007 in response to one of the needs expressed by employees for affordable housing project which they can avail either through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or the PAG-IBIG.

Bersamin admitted it is now that this housing concern is being addressed as he had prioritized roads and bridges to spur economic development of the province and health services to have a healthy and productive citizenry.

“The lot is already there anyway because the lot had been acquired by the previous administration, so why not develop it so it will serve its purpose,” said the governor.

Bersamin proposed to Vice President Jejomar C. Binay for his funding support during his visit to Abra last October 2010.

The National Housing Authority earlier gave P6 million for the development the lot.

With this amount plus an additional amount sourced out of the development funds of the Provincial Government of Abra, initial activities like stone masonry for the slope protection, construction of the box culverts and open canals for the drainage system were carried out.

The housing service road had also been opened. Concreting of some portion of the housing road had already been started.

The housing units will not be limited to the benefit of the provincial employees alone.

Even national employees and the private sector will also be accommodated for as long as they are in need and are willing and able to pay the costs.

About 275 housing units will be constructed within the 55,087 square meter lot.

Of these, 130 units will be opened to provincial government employees; 75 units will be made available to the national government employees; and 70 units will be open to the private sector employees. The construction of the housing units will be funded mainly by the PAG-IBIG.