2,300 families to get socialized housing in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines — At least 2,300 informal settler families in Tondo, Manila will soon have their own houses after the House of Representatives opted to exercise its oversight powers, officials said yesterday.

District 1 Rep. Manny Lopez, who pushed for the in-city relocation of the families in his district, insisted that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) be held in Parola so the beneficiaries of socialized housing units may witness the government at work.

“Finally, the hard work of Congress is becoming reality and can truly be felt by our countrymen who are most in need. They will now have their own home built on land and not over water. This is clear evidence of government working for the people,” he said.

Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, who heads the House committee on housing and urban development, said five-story buildings will be built on five hectares of land at Isla Puting Bato donated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to the National Housing Authority.

The informal settlers will only pay P600 per month for the next 25 years for their units, he added.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had called on the oversight committee on housing after she expressed fears the families in slum areas may be displaced by the ongoing cleanup of Manila Bay.

Arroyo wanted the government and local officials to address the delays in the release of titles to recipients of social housing proclamations she issued in 2002 and 2004 when she was president.

She also asked the PPA to ensure that the informal settlers would not be deprived of their sources of livelihood.

An initial P1 billion was allocated for the construction of the low-rise buildings in Isla Puting Bato.

The PPA will assist in the project with the help of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. 

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured the families that the buildings will be completed quickly.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada thanked Arroyo for spearheading the project, saying she is “God-sent.”

Isla Puting Bato barangay captain Bryan Mondejar said the residents have been worried about being informal settlers, but because of Arroyo “they were assured that they would have decent housing.”