Recognizing the need for informal settlers to be relocated within and near the same city, Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, March 1, promised that no one will be left behind in her housing and relocation projects should she win in the May 2022 polls.

Robredo isn’t only supportive of the On-site, In-city, or Near-city Resettlement Act, which will put a premium on access to livelihood and social services of relocated informal settlers, now that she is running for president.

The Vice President said she has been behind the bill even when she was still in Congress as representative of the third district of Camarines Sur.

She sympathized with families living near the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City who were forced to evacuate due to demolition, adding that they do not have access to proper electricity, water, and decent housing.

“Sisiguraduhin po natin ang relocation nasa lungsod o malapit sa sentro, para malapit kayo sa inyong mga trabaho at mga serbisyo. Magagawa po natin ito sa pagpasa ng matagal nang nakabinbin na On-site, In-city, Near-city Bill na atin pong sinusuportahan mula noong nasa Kongreso pa tayo (We are going to make sure that the relocation will be within the city or near the center so you are near your jobs and services. We can do this by passing the long-pending On-site, In-city, Near-city Bill that we have been supporting even when we were in Congress),” Robredo said.

The aspiring president joined supporters from Muntinlupa as their guest of honor during their 27th Cityhood Founding Anniversary celebration at the Muntinlupa City Sports Complex, Muntinlupa City.

In 2021, the City Council of Muntinlupa passed a resolution urging the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to stop the eviction of its informal settlers, after BuCor ordered demolitions within a 50-meter radius of the New Bilibid Prison fence.

Robredo said that if elected, she will put together People’s Council to be comprised of stakeholders in the planning process of any government project.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, who introduced Robredo during the event, was one of the first local chief executives who declared support for Robredo’s presidential bid.

Also with the presidential aspirant are her running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Leni-Kiko volunteers, and supporters all clad in pink.

"Makakaasa po kayo, sisikapin po natin na walang Pilipinong mapag-iiwanan, na lahat may mauuwiang tahanan at maayos na kabuhayan, na ano man po ang pinanggalingan o lagay niyo so buhay, papakinggan kayo parati ng gobyerno (You can rely that we will work hard that no Filipino will be left behind, that everyone will have a house to come home to and a decent livelihood, that no matter where you are from, the government will listen to you),” Robredo said.