Relocation sites for informal settler families (ISF) have to seriously consider people’s needs and aspirations and look at the holistic concept of human settlements, Rep. Francisco “ Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) said Wednesday, November 3.
There is a need to create economic value for communities to gain acceptance for housing interventions, he said at the Metro 3rd Housing Coordination Meeting at Barangay Patag, Silay City.
Benitez stressed the importance of always incorporating people plans in shelter programs, a press release from his office said.
“Hilway Balay” is among the top priority advocacies of Benitez, who is chair of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
Local Government Units (LGU) are the driving force that hasten action on housing plans and the Congressional District Office provides full support to facilitate programs and services to address the housing backlog in the Third District, he said.
“Working together to find solutions will ensure ‘HilwayBalay’ and strengthen Metro 3rd’s continuing journey to smart Asenso,” he said.
Teams composed of mostly representatives from housing and planning offices of Victorias, EB Magalona, Silay, Talisay and Murcia presented housing profiles and plans focusing on priority sites for socialized housing projects in upland, lowland, coastal and urban communities at the meeting.
The reports covered the situation of around 60,000 informal settler households district-wide, the press release said.
As the housing teams identified priority sites for implementation to start within the next seven months, the body agreed to fast-track site inspection and assessment, closely coordinating with the Congressional District Office for the administrative support for applications for funding for housing projects by the national agencies, it added.
Also at the meeting were Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and Councilor Junb Bantug, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Silay Mayor Mark Golez, Talisay Executive Assistant Nicolai Jalandoni, and Javi Benitez of Victorias City.*