The Pasig City local government and the National Housing Authority (NHA) broke ground on Aug. 8 for the construction of an in-city low rise resettlement site in Barangay Sta. Lucia.
NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai, Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., Rep. Roman Romulo and members of the 11th City Council graced the groundbreaking ceremony.
The site is located at the Manggahan Residences Phase 3B, East Embankment, Manggahan Floodway.
Two five-story housing units are planned to be built on the lot.
Its construction will be led by the NHA in cooperation with the local government and the Alliance of People's Organization along Manggahan Floodway (APO-AMF).
The beneficiaries of the units will be families currently living along the Manggahan Floodway and other danger zones in the city.
The local government has been working towards building more resettlement sites that are within the boundary of Pasig City to make the relocation process easier and more convenient for affected families.
On July 3, the local government formally launched its Zero Informal Settler Families (ISF) Program, wherein more than 600 residence owners in Barangays Kalawaan and Palatiw received documentary certificates as official beneficiaries of the program.
Sotto also held a groundbreaking ceremony for his first in-city housing project in Barangay Santolan.
He has stressed on numerous occasions that the local government's policy, in terms of relocation, prohibits the demolition of homes and forced relocation without properly prepped relocation sites.
"Kailangan matuto na tayo. Hindi pwedeng pauli-ulit ang pagkakamali ng pamahalaan (We need to learn from our mistakes. We cannot repeat them)," Sotto said, recalling the past administrations' shortcomings in providing equitable housing.
The mayor also recognized the efforts of the beneficiaries and local officials who pushed for in-city housing and are ensuring the new relocation policy is enforced.