500K families in NCR ‘living in poor conditions’

MANILA, Philippines — About half a million informal settler families in the National Capital Region (NCR) are living in poor conditions, including in high-risk areas, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Friday underscored the importance of support from local government units (LGUs) in addressing the more than 6.5 million housing backlog nationwide.

Acuzar recently met with some local chief executives in NCR to discuss the different programs that the national government intends to implement during the present administration.

“We have the all-out support of our President to finally realize the dream of every Filipino family to have a decent, safe and sustainable shelter of their own. Now is the time, let us unite and grab the opportunity,” Acuzar said.

“We see the role of local government units as one of the key components to gradually address or even put an end to the challenges we are facing in the housing sector. They are our allies in development,” he added.

DHSUD data showed that a majority of the 3.7 million ISFs in the country are currently in the NCR. Some 500,000 of them live in poor conditions, including slums, railways, waterways, esteros and other high-risk areas.

During his meetings with local officials, the housing chief discussed possible schemes that would be favorable to both the LGUs and target beneficiaries, while at the same time ensure sustainability of the government’s housing programs. He also shared his plan on how to loop in private developers, and financial institutions in a more participative and inclusive approaches for faster housing production.

Among those he recently met with were Mayors Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina, Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Vico Sotto of Pasig, Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, Dale Malapitan of Caloocan, Francis Zamora of San Juan and Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay.

Acuzar will meet with other NCR officials to ensure the smooth roll out of DHSUD housing programs.

“The housing sector in the country needs aggressive efforts. Therefore, we have to involve every stakeholder that can take part in this advocacy of the new administration – that is to provide shelter to millions of Filipinos,” he said.