Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday said he will ensure the smooth implementation of in-city, on-site, and near-city housing programs for the urban poor should he successfully win in the May 2022 senatorial elections.

In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, Ejercito, who is seeking a fresh six year term in the Senate, said he plans to replicate the success of in-city, medium-rise housing projects in San Juan City, where he previously served as mayor, as well as in Valenzuela City.

“Kaya nga po ako, lalo na po sa urban centers, ang ating thrust ay in-city or on-site or near-city housing (That’s why for me, especially in urban centers, our thrust is an in-city or on-site or near-city housing),” Ejercito said.

“Iyon ay atin pong medium-rise housing units na ginawa namin dito sa San Juan na ginawa din sa Valenzuela, naging successful po (the medium-rise housing units we created in San Juan, which was also done in Valenzuela, was successful),” he said.

“Iyan po ay dating informal settler community na talagang masukal. Pero nakita niyo naman ngayon, from shanty owner o yung tinatawag na squatter, ngayon ay condominium owner na (Those were informal settler community before. But as you can see, from shanty owners, now they are condominium owners),” he pointed out.

Ejercito also said that for non-urban settlements, he will ensure that housing programs will adopt a township development framework to establish holistic communities with full access to various basic social services.

“Kailangan kasama ang educational facilities. Kasama ang access to healthcare facilities. Kasama ang access to transportation hubs o di kaya malapit sa lugar na pagtratrabahuan (It should include educational facilities. Include access to healthcare facilities. Includes access to transportation hubs or it must be near places of livelihood or work),” Ejercito said.

Ejercito said he hopes to win in the May 2022 senatorial race to ensure the full implementation of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Law, which he principally sponsored.

Under the said law, all existing housing agencies are consolidated into a full-fledged department that will implement the government’s socialized housing programs.

“Kaya gusto kong makabalik sa Senado para masigurado natin na tama ang implementasyon at nasa tamang direksyon (That’s the reason I want to return to the Senate, to ensure that the law would be implemented correctly and in the right direction),” he stressed.