Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso has finally made his dream of providing decent and high-quality homes to Manileños a reality following the raffle of 100 housing units for qualified beneficiaries under the city’s in-city vertical housing program on Wednesday, March 18.

The raffle, which was also attended by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, selected 100 beneficiaries out of 1,554 verified applicants validated by the Manila Urban Settlements Office (MUSO) for the housing units located in San Lazaro, Pedro Gil, and San Sebastian Residences.

Reflecting on his childhood without stable housing, the mayor said he had long aspired to give Manileño families the home he once lacked.

“Masaya ako. Wholeheartedly masaya ako. Pangarap ko ito sa inyo, bagay na hindi ko nakamit noong bata ako. Mahirap maging iskwater (I am happy. I am wholeheartedly happy. This is my dream for you, something I never achieved when I was a child. It is very difficult to be homeless)," Domagoso shared.

"Buong buhay ko, bilang mambabatas sa Konseho, bilang vice mayor, makikita niyo ang mga batas na ipinasa ko katulong ang mga kasama kong konsehal ay puro "Land for the Landless" program. Noong nag-mayor po tayo, isinatotoo po natin ang "Land for the Landless," nagtayo naman tayo ng in-city vertical housing (My entire life as a legislator in the City Council and as a vice mayor, you will see that the laws that I passed with the help of my fellow councilors were all about the "Land for the Landless" program. When we became mayor, we made the "Land for the Landless" a reality by building in-city vertical housing)," he added.

Domagoso also vowed to continue his administration's mandate of ensuring the minimum basic needs (MBNs) of the people, particularly housing, education, healthcare, and livelihood.

Homes for everyone

Under Manila's in-city vertical housing program, beneficiaries will occupy 42-square-meter units with two bedrooms and access to amenities such as health centers, function rooms, and security services. 

Each unit's monthly amortization ranges from P2,000 to P3,000, which is significantly lower than typical rental costs in the city.

Domagoso explained that while ownership of the housing units remains with the city government to prevent abuse and resale, beneficiaries are protected under local ordinances, including provisions allowing succession to family members. 

Payments made by occupants may also be returned if they eventually choose to relocate.

The local chief executive also noted that the city aims to sustain and expand the housing initiative through reinvestment of collections, stressing that future projects are already in the pipeline. 

"We want our people living comfortably and safely. Ibinabalik natin ang dignidad ng bawat pamilya. Hindi tayo titigil hangga't kaya natin. Ang susunod natin: Binondominium 3, 4, and 5, until ubos na lahat ng squatter sa tabing-ilog at ilalim ng tulay (We want our people living comfortably and safely. We are restoring the dignity of every family, and we will not stop until we can. Our next move: The creation of Binondominiums 3, 4, and 5, until all the squatters living on the riverbank and under the bridge are given new homes)," he stressed.