The Manila City government has awarded certificates of lot ownership to 195 families under the Land for the Landless Program in a ceremony at the Manila City Hall.

Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan led the ceremony, together with Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Secretary to the Mayor Marlon Lacson, City Engineer Moises Alcantara, and Manila Urban Settlements Office (MUSO) chief Atty. Danilo de Guzman.
Lacuna-Pangan said that the awarding of lots is part of the city government's assistance to landless residents.
"Ang pamamahagi ng lupa ay bahagi ng patuloy na adbokasiya ng lungsod na bigyan ng seguridad sa paninirahan ang mga pamilyang matagal nang naninirahan sa lungsod ngunit walang sariling lupang tinatayuan (The distribution of lots is a part of the city's advocacy to provide security to the families who are living here for a long time but don't own lots)," Lacuna said.
The city mayor also said that the local government understands the importance of owning a house for a family, citing that the Manila LGU is doing everything to help its constituents.
"Nauunawaan natin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng sariling tahanan, kaya naman hindi kami tumitigil sa paghahanap ng mga paraan upang matulungan ang ating mga kababayan (We understand the importance of having a house, that is why we do not stop in finding ways to help our citizens)," she added.
Meanwhile, Servo said the continuous awarding of lots is a testament of Lacuna administration's initiative to address the housing problems in Manila.
According to MUSO, the 195 beneficiaries represent the largest number of awarded lots under the program since its inception during former Mayor Alfredo Lim’s administration.
Most of the recent beneficiaries had been renting houses for decades.
De Guzman announced that under Lacuna's leadership, more lots and housing units are scheduled for distribution.
The new landowners come from various areas in the city, including Singalong, Sta. Mesa, and Sampaloc. (Vincent Brian Gutierrez)