By Josine Estuye
MANILA, (PNA) -– Vice President Jejomar Binay Friday said every local government unit in Metro Manila should come up with socialized housing projects to help improve the housing situation.
Binay, chairman of the HUDCC, made this statement during the inauguration of Quezon City government’s Bistekville II Phase 2, a socialized, on-site, in-city housing project at a 4.4-hectare property in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City.
The vice president stressed that LGUs should implement projects like the Bistekville, since thousands of informal settler families live in the National Capital Region.
He added most of the ISFs are living in danger zones.
Through socialized housing projects, he noted that aside from the ISFs, low-income families are also given the opportunity to have their own homes, at low cost.
He pointed out that if the Quezon City government can implement a successful in-city housing project like the Bistekville, there is no reason that other areas in Metro Manila cannot.
He explained that what is needed is the right convergence with the private institution, and the government agencies, noting that Bistekville was made possible through partnership.
Bistekville 1 and 2 Project is a joint effort of the local government of Quezon City, Home Mutual Development Fund (PAG-IBIG), Habitat for Humanity, Phinma Properties Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and the lot owner Ofelia Arce.
According to Binay, in-city housing projects are needed since most ISFs want to live in cities, which they think can provide them better employment opportunity.
He added that to date, there are few LGUs that have socialized housing projects, mostly focusing on the ISFs.
The vice president also lauded the Quezon City government, citing Mayor Herbert Bautista’s efforts, saying it is the first time that he had seen a socialized housing project, intended not only for the informal settlers, but also to the less-privileged families.
Th Bistekville Phase II is the second installment of Bistekville Project which started 2011.
It is expected to yield a total 1,078 mixed housing units, 703 of which are one-story units with loft and 6 three-story buildings with 375 condo units.
Beneficiaries of the 703 1-story units with loft are the informal settler families, 375 condo units are for the ISFs living in danger zones in Quezon City, while 32 lots are for direct sale for the low-income families or government employees.
More in-city socialized housing project are also expected to be under the program.
This includes the Bistekville 5 in Barangay Payatas,Bistekville 3 in Barangay Escopa, Bistekville 4 in Barangay Culiat and Bistekville 6 in Barangay North Fairview.