Housing beneficiaries told leave 'bad habits'
Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. encourages the recipients of the housing units at the San Isidro, Jaro relocation site to leave their "bad habits" and consider the housing units provided to them by the government as their own property.
Initially, 40 families occupied the transit houses built at the 16.2 hectares relocation site. The transit houses are purposely constructed to accommodate families who are staying at the Jaro gymnasium. These are the families whose houses were swept by flood waters when Typhoon Frank devastated Iloilo City last June 21, 2008.
The occupants will stay at the transit houses meantime the housing units are being constructed. The transit houses which comes in a row are only for sleeping purposes. A common kitchen, comfort room and bath room was constructed adjacent to the transit houses.
Gonzalez said recipient families must also learn good practices in protecting their surroundings. "They must not throw garbage and other wastes anywhere. They must be particular on the cleanliness and sanitation at the relocation site. They will now live in a better environment. A clean environment will give them peace of mind," Gonzalez said.
The solon who will also provide 60 housing units to the city's relocatees said the recipients will transfer gradually at the relocation site. The government will likewise provide them with livelihood assistance.
Gonzalez donated P5 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the construction of 60 row houses and funded the construction of a deep well that will supply water to the residents. The deep well would be the source of water for the residents meantime the city government is working for the installation of a water connection from the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
Aside from Gonzalez, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also pledged to donate P5 million for the construction of 50 housing units. While, the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) released P35 million for the construction of additional housing units. The housing project is being implemented with the help of the Gawad Kalinga. The relocation site can accommodate 1,920 row houses.
The HUDCC funding was made possible with the intervention of Vice President Noli de Castro who is also the HUDCC chair. The vice president was saddened by the fate of the families living in danger zones such as creeks, riverbanks and waterways when he visited the city last June.
The Habitat for Humanity Foundation Inc. will serve as the project implementor for the P35 million HUDCC contribution. Initially, Habitat for Humanity is targeting to construct 500 loftable houses with a floor area of 24 square meters. The houses will have a loftable design in order that the recipient families can elevate the house into two -storey house. Each house cost some P50,000.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has already sought the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod before signing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the P35 million housing project funded by HUDCC.
The P35 million was released by the HUDCC through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The MOA for the project implementation would be entered between the city government, DSWD and the Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) Foundation Inc.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez asked the barangay officials and city officials not to tolerate the construction of houses in danger zones such as the waterways, creeks and drainage.