Gov’t housing will prioritize ISFs impacted by projects and calamities
The government’s housing program will prioritize Informal Settlers Families (ISFs) who have been reviewed by an evaluation board, while also prioritizing ISFs affected by government projects such as rehabilitation, expansion, and development, as well as natural disasters such as landslides and flooding.
Special Project Division Head Ms. Beverlyn Pacinabao,MS,EnP, stated during the Tingog sang Pagsanyog FB Live Program that those affected by Blok Creek rehabilitation and the recent land slide were prioritized.
The New Pangasinan Cityville Phase 1 is currently serving 170 beneficiaries, all of whom have moved into their own house. The government has already facilitated the provision of free electricity and water connections to 145 families to address basic housing needs. The aforementioned ISF are those from Blok Creek who were flooded during heavy rains.
“Atong 40 Million para lang gid ato sa pagpatugod sang balay. May ara kita ginproposed nga 34 Million, ginpadala naton sa Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)”, Pacinabao said when asked if the ISF was provided with a suitable residence.
(“The 40 Million is for the construction of houses. We have proposed another 34 Million, we sent our proposal to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)”.)
On the other hand, Mayor Ogena once said, “Instead of spending for the land purchase, the local government can use its funds to develop resettlement sites in suitable land”, demonstrating that government projects are among the top priorities of the local chief executive.
“Pasalamat gid kita kay Mayor Ogena kay ini nga sector natagaan sang itigtilupangod. Bal-an man naton nga madamu nagid sang homeless nga nagakinahanglan nagid kag ang aton gintagaan sang priority ang mga ISF nga wala sang balay nga nagaistar sa mga private properties, sa mga dalan nga iya sang gobyerno kag ara sila sa mga danger zones, kung magbaha kag maglandslide sila gid ang una nga maapektuhan”, Pacinabo said during the interview.
(We are grateful to our city mayor for making this a top priority. As far as we know, we provided housing for many homeless people who desperately needed it, and we prioritized ISF who live on private property, government-owned streets, and those who live in danger zones to protect them from flooding and landslides.)
The Barangay San Jose Housing Projects are currently underway, with 20 families set to relocate by January 2024. The housing project is made of light materials, some of which were donated by charitable organizations. PESO facilitated a food for work program under DOLE XII to expedite construction, in which the beneficiaries themselves work to build houses while earning a living.
“Nalipay ang aton mga beneficiaries. So nagdrawlots, nagbunot-bunot”, Pacinabao explained, adding that the beneficiaries wanted to expedite their transfer because they are eager to beautify their designated house.
(Our recipients were overjoyed. They’ve already held a drawlots.)
Meanwhile, the 1.27-hectare Phase 2 City Ville project hopes to serve the 405 ISFs who are still looking for a place to call home.