Gov't readies 'ideal setup' for MM informal settlers

MANILA, Philippines - The National Housing Authority (NHA) is building 64,000 dwelling units within Metro Manila where the government will relocate informal settlers currently living in danger zones within the capital region.

NHA general manager Chito Cruz said that the in-city housing is an "ideal setup" for illegal settlers who prefer to move to sites near schools and their places of work.

"We're delivering those dwelling units beginning October this year," Cruz said, adding that 310 units will be built in cleared Manila landfill Smokey Mountain while 348 in Valenzuela's Disiplina Village Phase 2.

NHA's project is under the P50 billion housing program until 2016 aiming to build homes for over 104,000 families in the Manila's slums at risk from floods, drought and other natural hazards.

Cruz, who mentioned the agency's target to construct 20,000 dwelling units, said that families now living along the polluted Pasig River and San Juan River banks will be moved to the new sites.

Areas near the rivers have been prone to flooding at the onslaught of storms and extreme weather conditions in the past.

Shortage of houses

Vice President Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, admitted that there is a shortage of relocation sites for informal settlers.

He said this is the main reason why the informal settlers colloquially known as "squatters" refuse to move to government-provided sites.

Binay added that the sites also often lack electricity and water besides being far from the settlers' places of work.

He said that the government's priority is to provide livelihood programs and basic services to the relocated dwellers.