Low-cost homes for teachers to rise in Taguig

Low-cost townhomes set to benefit qualified public school teachers will soon rise in Taguig City.

Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga said the townhomes designed as two-story buildings with eight units each, is envisioned to be the next generation urban housing project for city residents, particularly the teachers.

"The housing program will incorporate new construction technologies that will reduce the overall cost and construction time for each building to ensure its affordability to beneficiaries. The target monthly amortization is only P500 to P800, payable in 10 years," Tiñga said.

Under this program, a teachers’ village will be constructed at a two-hectare property of the local government in Purok 5, Barangay Bagong Tanyag for the benefit of qualified teachers of Taguig public schools and day-care centers.

Tiñga expressed optimism that the city’s Local Housing Office under Eduardo Mariano will meet their initial target of building 100 townhomes in partnership with private institutions such as Gawad Kalinga.

The city government is expecting that a total of 800 homes for the homeless residents of Taguig will be built by the end of 2006.

The basic 25-square-meter unit has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a toilet and bath, and a living and dining area.

Units are open on three sides for cross ventilation and to allow natural light in. This design also provides privacy for each family since there is only one shared party wall between units.

Tiñga said the advantage of this new housing approach does not end with the innovative design of the building.

"An organic site development plan has also been prepared to take advantage of the natural topography of the site and ensure that open spaces are maximized," he said.

A recreational facility, a health center and day-care and community center will complete the list of facilities.

"These townhomes will not only address basic issues on squatting and peace and order problems but will give qualified residents of the city a living, breathing and self-contained community that will serve as a model for future housing programs of the country," Tiñga said.