Some 1,393 informal settler families transferred to housing sites in 2016, says interior dept

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year transferred 1,393 informal settler (Pictured) families (ISFs) to three housing projects, as part of its ‘no relocation, no demolition’ policy. (Photo: Miguel Castaneda/ Flickr)

MANILA –The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year transferred 1,393 informal settler families (ISFs) to three housing projects, as part of its ‘no relocation, no demolition’ policy.

The department said in a news release issued Thursday that 104 ISFs were transferred from high-risk areas to the Goldmine project in Quezon City; 109 ISFs to the Corrinai project in Pasay City; and 1,180 ISFs to the South Morning View project in Naic, Cavite, while 13 more housing units are expected to be completed this year.

The DILG said the projects were carried out under its People’s Plan, wherein the department involves the informal settler beneficiaries in identifying, planning and developing relocation sites.

”Doing socialized housing projects is incomplete if there is no facet of participation. Participatory governance encompasses housing initiatives as provided by the Urban Development Housing Act,” said Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno.

The department has also granted eight local government units (LGUs) PHP700 million to build nine micro-medium rise buildings (MMRB), one of which has been turned over to the local government of Pandi, Bulacan last November.

The DILG has approved another 35 People’s Plans that will benefit 19,491 ISFs, while LGUs are developing eight more micro-medium rise building projects for 2,535 ISFs.

Last year, the department channeled PHP350 million to the Social Housing Finance Corp. for the construction of an MMRB for ISFs living in Estero de San Miguel. Sueno noted that the remainder of the fund will be allocated to other People’s Plans.

The People’s Plan fund enables LGUs to provide socialized housing sites to ISFs.