NHA: More informal settlers want relocation
MANILA, Philippines – More informal settlers in Metro Manila are availing of voluntary relocation, the National Housing Authority (NHA) said on Monday.
Around 67 families a day are now filing applications to be relocated to government housing projects, NHA community relations chief Socorro Salamat said.
She said that before the demolition of shanties in North Triangle, Quezon City, the NHA had been receiving only 50 applications a day.
Salamat said some families who had been considering relocation are now having second thoughts because the demolition project was suspended.
She praised the government’s relocation project and allayed fears raised by informal settlers.
Senate Edgardo Angara, meanwhile, said the upper house will look at the possibility of realigning around P6 billion in government funds for housing projects.
The amount is currently earmarked for various projects under the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Undersecretary Nestor Borromeo said the agency’s allotted budget is not enough to meet the public’s need.
He said the HUDCC only received P5.6 billion from the P11 billion budget that the agency asked for.
"What will be greatly affected is the program of the National Housing Authority," Borromeo said.
He added that lack of funds will prevent the NHA from relocating informal settlers and families living in danger zones.
He said the HUDCC may also fail from reaching its target of building 350,000 new homes. – Atom Araullo and Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
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