7 years of hardwork, Koronadal Cityville Phase 1 now completed
The city government of Koronadal in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) has just recently turned over the completed Phase 1 of Koronadal Cityville situated at Barangay New Pangasinan this city.
Koronadal Cityville is a housing project with an initial budget allocation amounting to 50 million pesos for the construction of 170 houses intended to provide permanent relocation to informal settlers residing along the areas adjacent to B’lok creek. This project went through a rigorous process as it was initially conceptualized in 2017 but the proposal was only approved on the 14th of January 2021.
According to Engr. Fritzie Punzalan, District head of NHA, the journey of Koronadal Cityville has been through thick and thin but because of the support of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the joint effort of NHA, the Special Projects Division headed by Ms. Beverlyn Pacinabao, the City Engineering Office, City Legal Office and all other concerned departments, the construction of the Cityville commenced on the 2nd of October 2021 and after less than a year, the project was completed in September 2022.
In his message during the turnover ceremony, City Mayor Atty. Eliordo U. Ogena extended his gratitude to the people who worked hard along the way from the consultation up to the completion of the project. Mayor Ogena has also promised to provide free installation of potable water among the beneficiaries in partnership with the City of Koronadal Water District under the “Access to Potable Water System Program.” Thus, the beneficiaries will be freed from paying around Php 7000 for water accessibility. Further, in partnership with South Cotabato Electric Cooperative Incorporated under the Barangay Electrification Program, installation of electric line, check meter and other electrical materials necessary amounting to Php 15,000 will be provided for free.
The relocation of the informal settlers formerly residing alongside B’lok creek is a double-edged project which aimed to provide permanent shelter to the beneficiaries while achieving Ogena administration’s mission in beautifying the city. “Natutuwa ako at last nandito na at yung second phase sana magsimula na kasi yung Blok creek rehabilitation and development will be pursued relentlessly after ma relocate natin yung mga naninirahan dun” says Mayor Ogena.
The beneficiaries represented by their elected president Mr. Jimmy Momo extended their earnest gratitude to the city government especially to Mayor Ogena for its invaluable effort to provide them a house which they can consider their own. Mr. Momo also posted a challenge to his co-beneficiaries to cherish and develop their homes provided by the city government.
“Subong nakita na namon nga kami legitimate na nga owner na sang sini nga mga panimalay, kami nga ara sa homeowners association sang cityville sang Koronadal, dako gid ang pagpasalamat sa local government sang Koronadal, sa NHA kag sa tanan nga department head nga ara diri. Kag naga pasalamat man kami kay sang primero ginkulbaan kami sang balayran sa pagpatakod sang linya sang tubig. Pag announce nga libre ang takod, nalipay gid kami. Pati na ang kuryente. Damo gid nga salamt sa taga water district kag sa taga socoteco 1.” says Mr. Momo
The said turnover ceremony was attended by the city officials headed by the Local Chief Executive, other members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod including Hon. Mark C. Lapidez, Hon. Ma. Ester Marin-Catorce, Hon. Ellen Grace Subere-Albios, Hon. John Rey P. Rodriguez and Hon. Charene Christelle C. Jumilla, representatives coming from NHA headed by Regional Manager Zenaida M. Cabiles and South Cotabato Provincial Planning and Development Officer Marites Tanseco who represented Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., some department heads, and the beneficiaries of the said housing project.