By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan led the ceremonial turnover of the high-density housing project for 378 families at Gloria Ville, Barangay 178 in Caloocan City on Friday, Sept. 23.
The Housing and Resettlement Office (HARO) said the beneficiaries used to live in high-risk flood areas such as creeks and rivers.
Mayor Malapitan was accompanied by Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Federico Laxa and District 1 Representative Oscar "Oca" Malapitan.
The mayor greeted the families and encouraged them to get along with their new neighbors for a better community.
“Mahalaga rin na makakasundo natin ang ating mga kapit-bahay, makiisa tayo sa mga programa para sa ikagaganda pa lalo ng inyong komunidad (It is also important that we can get along with our neighbors, let's join in community programs for the betterment of your community),” Mayor Malapitan said.
Mayor Malapitan added that some beneficiaries were former residents of neighboring cities like Valenzuela and Quezon Cities.
“Batid ko po na ang ilan sa mga benepisyaryo’y mula pa sa ibang lungsod, welcome po kayo sa Caloocan. Bilang inyong alkalde, titiyakin ko aalagaan namin kayo (I know that some of the beneficiaries are from other cities, you are welcome here in Caloocan. As your mayor, I will make sure that we will take care of you),” he said.
Laxa said he aims to develop further local housing programs for underprivileged families as well as a good relationship with the Caloocan City government.
"SHFC aims to bridge the gap in the housing problem for not everyone is eligible for a bank or home loan. We'll target more housing projects and work with several local governments, including Caloocan, to help our fellow Filipinos," the SHFC president said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Malapitan urged the beneficiaries from other cities to register to become official residents of Caloocan.
"Marami sa inyo bago, ibig sabihin hindi pa kayo rehistrado. Magparehistrado kayo dito para talagang masabi na tagarito na kayo (Many of you are new here which means you are not yet registered. Register here so you can really say you are residents here)," he said.
SHFC is a Philippine government agency undertaking social housing programs that will cater to the formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket and shall take charge of developing and administering social housing program schemes.