Quezon City remits P18.5 million to NHA for housing project

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government turned over to the National Housing Authority (NHA) Thursday P18.5 million for a housing project that would benefit over 22,000 homeless families along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Mayor Herbert Bautista identified the site as the National Government Center Eastside Housing Project along Commonwealth Avenue.

Bautista, who handed over a check to NHA general manager Federico Laxa, said the amount will pay for the processing of the subdivision plans and re-blocking of some 22,220 urban poor families who have long been occupying the area.

The city council passed an ordinance on Oct. 26, 2009 to facilitate the processing and transfer of land titles to qualified beneficiaries.

Republic Act 9207, the National Government Center Act of 2003, provides security of tenure to bona fide residents of the NGC, including the approval of the blueprint for the utilization and development of the area.

Bautista said the city government saw the need for an overall development plan in the area to address the proliferation of informal settlers. The plan was also needed to implement community-based development projects in the area, including road improvement projects and delivery of health and social services.

The city government coordinated with various government agencies and non-government organizations to prepare the site development plan.

Bautista said the plan, which jives with the city’s comprehensive land use program, now serves as guide in all the development activities in the area.

To date, Quezon City hosts the most number of informal settlers in the metropolis, majority of them in substandard living conditions.