New housing project at old tenement in Manila soon to start, provide jobs for Tondo residents

Work will soon begin for a new housing project at an old tenement in Tondo, Manila that is seen not only to benefit displaced families but also provide jobs for residents in the district amid the pandemic.

In a statement, Manila Rep. Lopez, who chairs the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said funds have already been secured for the Vitas High Rise Residential Building, a two-phase development that will be built on a 3.5-hectare land. The first phase will cover 9,183.56 square meters.

As programmed by the NHA, the first phase will have three 19-storey housing buildings that can accommodate 770 residential units.

A groundbreakin ceremony for the housing project along Mel Lopez Blvd. will be held on Thursday and will be attended by Lopez, Sen. Bong Go, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and NHA Gen. Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr.

Lopez, who conducted budget hearings last year for the NHA, admitted it was not easy to secure funding for the project from the government, but expressed delight that it will soon start amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project will provide employment to Tondo residents who can be part of the construction. This is a great start in our efforts to rise again from the economic crisis brought by the pandemic,” said the lawmaker, who belongs to the Lopez clan of Tondo.

Despite Tondo being an "unfortunate symbol of poverty in Manila," the congressman said it was his dream for Tondo residents to "rise as one with comfortable living."

While construction for the housing project is ongoing, cash rental subsidy for our Manila residents is also being prepared, Lopez said.

Last year, the Manila City government issued a demolition order for the Vitas tenement that houses 1,760 families.

The NHA had said the 27 buildings needed to be demolished as they have consumed their lifespan. The buildings have been in the area for three decades.

Lopez was earlier quoted in reports as saying that the NHA and other government officials have already given their assurance that displaced residents of the Vitas tenement will be guaranteed with proper relocation sites. -MDM, GMA News