Pasig eyes no informal settlers in 10 years

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City government is targeting to have no informal settler families (ISF) or residents living in areas considered danger zones within the decade, through the local government’s housing and social service programs, Mayor Vico Sotto said on Monday.

Sotto said the city’s “ambitious target” requires a whole-of-government approach, as well as the participation of communities in the city.

“It’s been said that our goal is an ambitious target, but our goal is to have no more informal settler families in the city within the decade. It won’t be easy, but with your help, the city council – we can do this,” Sotto said in Filipino.

One of Sotto’s programs since he was first elected in 2019 is resolving the decades-old land and housing issues of the city and offering ISFs housing that is “humane and safe.”

The mayor also cautioned city council members and government officials against making “grand” promises to ISFs like promising free housing for all, which Sotto said is “impossible.”

While the city government has been able to build about 10 housing sites for thousands of ISFs in the past three decades, Sotto said the city still needs more sites.

“There’s this expectation from the local government that all residents would be given a house. Right here and now, I’m already telling you that it’s not possible. I will not make promises I can’t keep… Let’s not make promises we can’t keep and we should be realistic with what we promise,” he added.

Sotto said the city government also expects beneficiaries of the city’s housing programs to be participants of the government’s strides towards progress.