Take part in crafting own relocation plan, DILG tells informal settlers in NCR

Published December 3, 2014 5:10pm

More than 30,000 families living along waterways and other hazard-prone areas in Metro Manila are encouraged to craft their own housing plan under the Department of Interior and Local Government's One Safe Future (1SF) program.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, DILG Undersecretary for Urban Poor, Informal Settler Families Tomasito Villarin said a total of 31,793 informal settler families (ISFs) are set to benefit from the 1SF program, which aims to relocate these families in the in-city or near-city socialized housing projects.

“The One Safe Future program is a people-centered and community-driven program that involves convergence approach of different stakeholders to help build secure, resilient and sustainable communities in NCR,” Villarin said.

Villarin said that since the launching of the program late last year, a total of 9,344 ISFs have already been relocated to permanent settlements within or near Metro Manila cities.

"Of the 79 people's plans submitted to DILG, 14 projects were already approved by the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation, 30 projects are in the pipeline while 26 projects are on the process of validation and site evaluation," Villarin said.

The Socialized Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is the lead government agency tasked to finance social housing programs for formal and informal sectors belonging to the low-income bracket.

Villarin said the DILG is set to conduct a caravan around Metro Manila from December 3 to 5 to encourage more ISFs especially those living in danger zones to participate in the crafting of housing plans.

Villarin said the caravan is part of the DILG's celebration of the Urban Poor Solidarity Week from December 2 to 8.

On Wednesday, the DILG has also opened an exhibit on Innovative Socialized Housing Designs at the DILG office in Quezon City.

Villarin said the relocation of ISFs is part of the DILG's undertakings pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 57 issued by President Aquino in August of this year.

Under the said memorandum, Aquino tasked Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, in coordination with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, National Housing Authority, and other relevant government agencies, to lead the government's efforts in relocating informal settlers living in danger and high-risk areas to safe, permanent settlements. — Elizabeth Marcelo/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: informalsettlers