Valenzuela gov't urges public to support housing programs
Published Jul 16, 2023 06:12 am
The Valenzuela City government on Saturday, July 15, urged the public to support the city’s housing programs that aim to provide better, safe, and secure shelters for the families in the city.
The city government made the call after some groups gathered at the Valenzuela City People’s Park on July 12 to protest against the house clearing operations held in Laon, Barangay Veinte Reales, which required the relocation of some families living in flood and fire-prone areas in the village.
The groups, who were residents in the barangay affected by the project, called for the local government‘s coordination with them and assistance for proper relocation of their families.
In a statement posted on the city’s official Facebook page on Saturday, the local government said that the house clearing operations are part of its housing program, in partnership with the Social Housing and Finance Corporation (SHFC), through its Vertical Community Mortgage Program (CMP), to ensure the welfare of the families in Barangay Veinte Reales.
(Photo from Valenzuela City Public Information Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“By way of background, the families in Laon, Barangay Veinte Reales have been residing in an unsafe and inhumane living condition for years. Likewise, the housing structures thereat were found unsafe for human use and occupancy, as the same violate the provisions of PD (Presidential Decree) 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code. Consequently, the Office of the Building Official declared these houses as illegal and dangerous structures,” the local government said. The [National Building Code](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1977/02/19/presidential-decree-no-1096-s-1977/) was enacted to adopt a uniform building code in the country which shall embody up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance. The housing program, which was initiated since 2019, will involve building homes in a six-hectare lot in Laon, Barangay Veinte Reales. It consists of three phases with a total of 34 buildings comprised of 1,632 housing units. The city government said that the project is currently on its third phase wherein house clearing operations began on July 10. In the statement, the local government clarified that the house clearing operation in Laon is not an act of displacement or eviction of the families in the barangay. It stated that several dialogues were conducted with home owners associations in the area for their support. Notices were also issued to the affected families on March 2021, to ensure that they were given ample time to prepare and make necessary arrangements before the start of the voluntary clearing operations. It said that 1,244 or 76 percent of the affected residents have signed up for the housing program while 388 residents (24 percent) have yet to register. “It is also noteworthy that the individuals and groups involved in the rallying activities were part of the group who were offered, but did not sign up for the Housing Project,” the local government said. It explained that SHFC allocated P300,000,000 as an initial budget to develop the 11 low-rise buildings for the Phase I of the project. The Department of Transportation has also provided assistance in the form of filling materials worth P5,019,356.36 for the first and second phases of the project. The city government also allotted resources for the housing project including P37,000,000 for the clearing and heavy equipment that will be used, and a total of P29,000,000 as financial assistance for the affected families. It said that 261 families from the area were relocated to Disiplina Village in Barangay Lingunan, while transportation assistance were offered to families who voluntarily transferred to other locations. “It must be emphasized that the project has been carefully planned and executed, as well as ensured that the rights and well-being of the residents were upheld throughout the process. In the end, the current residents are the ultimate beneficiaries of the Housing Program,” it said. “We urge the public to rely on accurate information and join us in supporting this crucial endeavor. With this, the City Government of Valenzuela City remains steadfast in its commitment to create a more inclusive and resilient City, where every Pamilyang Valenzuelano can live with dignity and security. We extend our gratitude to all thestakeholders for their valuable contribution, as well as the residents for their patience and cooperation during this process,” it added. The CMP, spearheaded by the SHFC, under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, is a mortgage financing program that assists residents from depressed areas to own the lots they occupy, or where they choose to relocate to, and eventually create sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with local government units.
(Photo from Valenzuela City Public Information Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“By way of background, the families in Laon, Barangay Veinte Reales have been residing in an unsafe and inhumane living condition for years. Likewise, the housing structures thereat were found unsafe for human use and occupancy, as the same violate the provisions of PD (Presidential Decree) 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code. Consequently, the Office of the Building Official declared these houses as illegal and dangerous structures,” the local government said. The [National Building Code](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1977/02/19/presidential-decree-no-1096-s-1977/) was enacted to adopt a uniform building code in the country which shall embody up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance. The housing program, which was initiated since 2019, will involve building homes in a six-hectare lot in Laon, Barangay Veinte Reales. It consists of three phases with a total of 34 buildings comprised of 1,632 housing units. The city government said that the project is currently on its third phase wherein house clearing operations began on July 10. In the statement, the local government clarified that the house clearing operation in Laon is not an act of displacement or eviction of the families in the barangay. It stated that several dialogues were conducted with home owners associations in the area for their support. Notices were also issued to the affected families on March 2021, to ensure that they were given ample time to prepare and make necessary arrangements before the start of the voluntary clearing operations. It said that 1,244 or 76 percent of the affected residents have signed up for the housing program while 388 residents (24 percent) have yet to register. “It is also noteworthy that the individuals and groups involved in the rallying activities were part of the group who were offered, but did not sign up for the Housing Project,” the local government said. It explained that SHFC allocated P300,000,000 as an initial budget to develop the 11 low-rise buildings for the Phase I of the project. The Department of Transportation has also provided assistance in the form of filling materials worth P5,019,356.36 for the first and second phases of the project. The city government also allotted resources for the housing project including P37,000,000 for the clearing and heavy equipment that will be used, and a total of P29,000,000 as financial assistance for the affected families. It said that 261 families from the area were relocated to Disiplina Village in Barangay Lingunan, while transportation assistance were offered to families who voluntarily transferred to other locations. “It must be emphasized that the project has been carefully planned and executed, as well as ensured that the rights and well-being of the residents were upheld throughout the process. In the end, the current residents are the ultimate beneficiaries of the Housing Program,” it said. “We urge the public to rely on accurate information and join us in supporting this crucial endeavor. With this, the City Government of Valenzuela City remains steadfast in its commitment to create a more inclusive and resilient City, where every Pamilyang Valenzuelano can live with dignity and security. We extend our gratitude to all thestakeholders for their valuable contribution, as well as the residents for their patience and cooperation during this process,” it added. The CMP, spearheaded by the SHFC, under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, is a mortgage financing program that assists residents from depressed areas to own the lots they occupy, or where they choose to relocate to, and eventually create sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with local government units.