Capiz housing project gets development loan
Roxas City -- Vice President and concurrent Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Noli De Castro turned over a P15-million developmental loan check for the Capitol Hills subdivision project of Capiz during his recent visit here this June.
The provincial government-based low cost residential lot project is a 19.4 hectares area subdivided into residential lots with an average area of 124 square meters each. It has also reserved a 5-hectare space for government building site.
The subdivision project due for distribution to target beneficiaries coincides with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "Pabahay sa Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino."
De Castro also led the inauguration and groundbreaking of 1,000 new housing units in Rodriguez, Rizal where informal settlers along the Pasig River banks would be relocated.
The housing project, De Castro said, is an essential part of the government's ongoing effort to improve the Pasig River being spearheaded by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).
He said 373 completed housing units in Phase 1 of the Kasiglahan Village 1 Extension Project were inaugurated while a groundbreaking ceremony was held to signal the start for the construction of another 627 housing units in phase 2.
According to De Castro, completion of the project is seen to be achieved by August this year to facilitate the immediate relocation of informal settlers along the banks of the Pasig River to pave the way for the implementation of the Pasig River rehabilitation program.
"Once relocated, the families will be provided not only with new shelters but a pleasant community where they could start their new lives," he said.
De Castro also revealed similar housing project is being made in Punta, Sta. Ana to give shelter security to 1,728 informal settlers along the riverbanks and is targeted to be finished before the year ends.
"After these projects, 2,346 families still have to be relocated next year," he added.
Meanwhile, De Castro said the government has already learned a lot from the previous resettlement efforts. This is why aside from housing assistance, he said the families would be given livelihood and skills training programs, transportation and food assistance, and the needed facilities such as health centers, day care centers, multi-purpose halls and many others.
(PIA)