In accordance with the local government's "ambitious target" of having zero informal settlers families (ISF) in Pasig City within the decade, Mayor Vico Sotto reminded the city council and other government employees to set realistic expectations in promising and delivering services to citizens.
"Sa ating misyon para sa zero ISF sa Pasig, habang sa ating trabaho, pag-gobyerno, dapat nag e-expectation setting din tayo sa ating mga nasasakupan (In our mission to have zero ISFs in Pasig, we should be setting expectations in our respective fields)," Sotto said during the flag raising ceremony on Monday, July 18.
The mayor noted that politicians commonly set grand expectations especially during the campaign period that give false hopes to citizens.
"Mayroong ekspektasyon sa ating pamahalaan na lahat ng mamamayan ay mabibigyan ng bahay. Ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko na po na imposible po iyon. Ako po ay hindi mangangako ng mapapako lang (There is an expectation that the government will be able give each citizen a house. I am telling you now, that is impossible. I will not promise what cannot be done)," Sotto said.
He shared that in the last three decades, more or less 10 housing sites have been built in the city. Although it has served thousands of families, more housing sites are needed to accommodate the city's whole population.
Sotto emphasized that even if they double their housing projects -- building 20 housing sites for the next 30 years, they would not be able to provide housing for each family.
"Huwag tayo mangako sa mga tao ng hindi natin kayang tuparin. Dapat po realistic ang ating pinapangako sa mga tao. Kung ano ang kayang gawin, magtrabaho tayo tungo sa mga layunin na ito (Let's not make promises to the people that we cannot keep. Our promises have to be realistic. Let us work towards fulfilling the things we can do)," he added.
The local government's housing program is prioritizing the relocation of ISFs who are residing within the city's "danger zones."
For ISFs who are not residing in danger zones or do not belong to the city's list of registered beneficiaries, Sotto said the government will continue to offer other social services that will help them, such as providing educational support and scholarships to children of poor families, and improving the local economy.
"Ako po kasi naniniwala na sa ating pamumuno, dapat transparent tayo sa tao. Dapat transparent tayo sa kung anong kayang gawin, kung anong meron tayong resources, saan tayo papunta. Pati 'yung hindi natin kayang gawin dapat nilalahad natin sa tao (I believe we should be transparent to the people. We should be transparent about what we can do, with what resources we have, and where we are headed. We have to also tell the people what we can't do)," Sotto said.
Sotto said it will be a challenging feat, but he believes it can be achieved with the help of the citizens and the city council.
"Hinihikayat natin ang mga komunidad na hindi lang basta maging benepisyaryo ng ating lokal na pamahalaan o gobyerno, pero dapat po ay kalahok sila at partner natin sila sa pagunlad (We encourage our communities to not just become beneficiaries of the local government but also become active partners in our city's progress)," he added.
Inherited housing issues
Sotto recognized that there are many issues concerning land and housing in every barangay in the city, which were inherited from previous administrations.
To address this, the local government passed the Pasig Housing Code ordinance, which refined the systems and guidelines of the city's socialized housing projects. The Pasig Urban Settlements Office (PUSO) was also established.
Sotto also formed a "no demolition without proper relocation" policy, wherein relocation sites must have complete and functional services for water and electricity before they can be occupied. They must also be located near schools, markets, and places that offer livelihood opportunities.
On April 29, he shared that during his first term, the local government bought a 4,750 square meter land to serve as an in-city relocation site for ISFs affected by the revetment wall near the river.
Along with this, they have filed Expropriation Proceedings for a five-hectare in-city relocation site for those beside the floodway.