Modern condo-type rent-to-own units will be constructed in San Juan City as part of the President’s housing project to provide homes for the homeless, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. said.
Abalos explained that the housing project will sit on a 2,624 square meter property where a total of 549 residential units with an average size of 28 square meters will be constructed.
Under the rent-to-own scheme, Abalos noted that the beneficiaries will be accorded with “a flexible term of 25 to 30 years.’’
A week after meeting with Metro Manila mayors on the planned government housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar and Abalos visited the proposed site in San Juan City on Monday, Jan. 15.
“Joining them during the ocular inspection along F. Manalo Street, Barangay Batis were Metro Manila Development Authority Chairperson Don Artes, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and other local and national government officials,’’ the DILG said.
“Ito'y proyekto ng ating Pangulo na pabahay sa buong Pilipinas. Home for the homeless, ika nga. At bilang patunay na talagang seryoso ang ating Pangulo, ito na ang proyekto (This is a housing project of our President in the entire Philippines. Home for the homeless, I should say. As proof that our President is serious, here is the project),’’ Abalos stated.
Abalos pointed out that this is the head start of the continuous efforts to provide decent dwellings for the homeless not only in Metro Manila but also for the whole country.
Abalos and Acuzar urged Metro Manila LGUs to support the Pasig River Bigyan Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project and the 4PH Program by identifying lands suitable for housing and human settlements.
The DILG, DHSUD, and MMDA are among the 13 member-agencies composing the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) created under Executive Order 35 signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. last year.
The council is tasked to work in synergy towards the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.