Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan announced that the local government employees will be prioritized in the distribution of housing units, which will be turned over this year under the local government's housing program.

Lacuna-Pangan said that the first three housing units that were constructed during the pandemic have been turned over to qualified informal settlers. She said the next three will be given to city employees as beneficiaries.

"Sa pagkakataong ito,  ang prayoridad naman po natin ay ang ating mga empleyado. Hindi naman po kaila sa inyo na hindi naman po lahat ng empleyado ay may sariling tahanan,  kaya minabuti namin ngayon na mas bigyang pagpapahalaga ang sariling atin (This time, our priority is our employees. It is not known to you that not all employees have their own house, so it is better for us now to give more value to our own)," the mayor said.

According to the city government, the units located inside the first three condominium buildings built, namely the Tondominium 1, Tondominium 2 and Binondominium, have already been occupied by qualified informal settlers.

It said the Sebastian Residences, Pedro Gil Residences and San Lazaro Residences are set for turnover this year.

The mayor had directed Manila Urban Settlements Office (MUSO) chief Atty. Danny De Guzman to lead the selection of deserving beneficiaries.

She also lauded De Guzman for accomplishing the tasks of providing shelters for homeless Manileños.

"Ang amin lamang pong pakusap, sana po ay pangalagaan ninyo ng inyong magiging bagong tahanan... sana po, ang inyong pananagutan sa ating pamahalaan ay tupdin din po natin. Hindi po maliit na halaga ang iginuguol natin dito kaya pahalagahan po natin (Our only request is that you will take care of your new home... I hope that you will fulfill your responsibility to our government. We are spending a lot of money here, so let's appreciate it)," she stressed.

The mayor assured the city government's continuous efforts to provide housing for the homeless residents.