Leni vows to solve relocatees’ woes

MANILA, Philippines - Starting her work as the country’s housing czar, Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday pledged to find solutions to problems of relocatees at a resettlement site of the National Housing Authority (NHA) in Laguna. 

Speaking during her visit at Site 2 of NHA Housing in Calauan, Robredo stressed the need to provide livelihood to families who will be relocated to resettlement sites. 

“Our priority in housing, when we’re thinking about relocation, we have to look at the available jobs. That is one of the reasons why relocation does not succeed,” said the Vice President in Filipino. 

“If they don’t have jobs in the area where they are going to, they will just return,” she added. 

Robredo, who was appointed as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, met with residents at the resettlement area to listen to their problems. 

She noted that some of the residents still work in Pasig City, where they were relocated from, with many only going home to their families on weekends. 

Robredo promised to find solutions, such as creating a market where the residents can have a source of income. 

“People should not have a house here but still board and lodge in Manila. We will address that,” said the Vice President. 

“Now that I am in housing, I will be able to help you in your problems,” she added. 

Aside from the lack of livelihood, other issues that the Vice President heard from the relocatees include problems with electricity and water supply. 

“Even if there are problems, your community is still an inspiration to me,” she said as she called on everyone, including those from the private sector, to help find solutions to problems in the housing sector.