DILG to relocate 26,367 informal settler families in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Some 26,367 informal settler families living on high-risk areas in Metro Manila will be located to safer areas by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) this year.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said the relocation is pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 57 issued by President Benigno Aquino III in August 2013, directing the DILG to spearhead the transfer of informal settler families (ISFs) living in danger and high-risk areas, in coordination with local government units (LGUs), the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), National Housing Authority (NHA), and other relevant government agencies.

“Shelter as basic need for the proper growth of a family is the best gift for ISFs. DILG is relentless in its Oplan LIKAS and Oplan HANDA,” said Sarmiento.

Oplan LIKAS (Lumikas para Iwas Kalamidad at Sakit) and Oplan HANDA (Handa sa Disaster at Aksidente) are under the One Safe Future (1SF) program with convergence approach of different stakeholders for a people-centered and community-driven action in helping build secure, resilient and sustainable communities.

According to Sarmiento, the targeted relocation of 26,367 ISFs is based on the capacity of the government in the production of housing units. Since 2013, more than 20,000 ISFs have already been relocated from waterways in Metro Manila.

“We have two roles: facilitating the relocation of ISFs and assisting in the preparation of housings especially through the People’s Plan. We check the eligibility of ISFs living in danger areas to borrow fund,” said Jesus Jayson Miranda, Program Manager of ISF Project Management Office of the DILG.

People’s Plan gives optimum weight and consideration on the participation of the settlers in identifying, conceptualizing, planning, designing, developing, and managing shelter projects.
 
Last October 2015, Sarmiento announced that a micro-medium rise building was being constructed at Dubai Site, Baseco Compound, Barangay 649, Zone 68, Port Area, Manila to provide permanent settlement for 225 beneficiary-families.

An ISF seed grant of P36-million was given by the DILG to the City of Manila for the construction of the said building.