KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato is intensifying its anti-poverty initiatives with the rollout of a housing program designed to provide safe and secure relocation for informal settler families (ISFs) across the province.
As the first province in the country to establish a Local Poverty Reduction Task Force (LPRTF), South Cotabato continues to reinforce its commitment to reducing poverty incidence through its Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP). Central to this strategy is the promotion of four fundamental rights of marginalized communities, particularly the Right to Adequate Housing.
Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. emphasized that the housing program is a crucial step in ensuring the dignity and safety of vulnerable communities.
“Providing safe and secure housing is a fundamental step in lifting our people out of poverty. Through this program, we are making sure that no family is left behind, especially those living in high-risk areas,” Governor Tamayo said.
To address this priority, the province has introduced the “Relokasyong Segurado Para sa Tao (RST) Pabahay Program,” a flagship initiative aimed at delivering sustainable housing solutions to qualified beneficiaries.
The program targets families identified from the validated list of ISFs, based on assessments conducted in 2021 and from 2023 to 2025, who will undergo the required processes under established program guidelines.
As part of the preparatory phase, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), through its Land banking Committee Core Team, held a coordination meeting with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region XII recently.
Officials from DHSUD XII, led by the Acting Regional Director and division heads, expressed full support for the initiative and committed to assisting the provincial government from compliance to full implementation.
The agency also acknowledged the province’s proactive efforts, particularly in funding and conducting the validation of informal settler families, which now serves as the basis for beneficiary selection.
Governor Tamayo further highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in delivering the program efficiently.
“This is a shared responsibility. Through strong collaboration with our national government partners and local stakeholders, we can accelerate implementation and ensure that every qualified family benefits from this initiative,” he added.
With strengthened inter-agency coordination and clear implementation strategies, South Cotabato’s housing program marks a significant step toward addressing shelter insecurity and improving the quality of life of vulnerable communities, reinforcing the province’s vision of inclusive growth and people-centered development.
