Informal settler families (ISFs) living in flood-prone and other danger zones in Quezon City will be prioritized in the government’s mass housing projects following an agreement between the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the local government unit.

Based on the data, there are around 13,000 families living along the city’s different waterways. 

But in the meantime, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said their priority is the massive clean-up drive of Quezon City’s waterways with ISFs as he emphasized the hazards of living along the danger zones, especially during the rainy season.

‘We will prioritize the clearing of river banks and other waterways which are dangerous places for the ISFs. But as discussed with (QC) Mayor Joy Belmonte, we must relocate these ISFs to a safe place,” said Aliling.

The discussion that Aliling referred to was during the meeting with Belmonte wherein the two officials agreed to jointly pursue housing projects for the most vulnerable and underserved sectors of Quezon City.

In the same meeting, both Aliling and Belmonte agreed to prioritize Quezon City residents along various waterways under the rental housing scheme.

The rental housing scheme, according to Belmonte, is the most suitable set up for the affected residents.

“Just give us the list of priority sites, then if you have available land where we can proceed with the project,” Aliling said.

Thousands of people were affected by the widespread flooding that hit Metro Manila and most parts of the country last month due to at least three weather disturbances that brought heavy rains for days.