PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has named former Kabataan Party-list Rep. James Mark Terry Ridon the new chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).
Ridon confirmed his appointment Wednesday to the Manila Standard, saying the President appointed him last week to be the new urban poor chief.
“We will follow the policy pronouncement of the President that there should be no demolition of urban communities without relocation,” Ridon said in a press release.
A public interest lawyer, Ridon graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law where he sat as a member of the Board of Regents and chairperson of the University Student Council and a youth legislator.
The President had earlier appointed DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano, NAPC Chairperson Liza Maza and Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod, all recommended by the National Democratic Front to be part of the Duterte administration.
The administration’s housing policy responds fully to the aspirations of the urban poor for a decent life and living conditions, Ridon said.
“We cannot allow our urban poor to wallow farther in poverty by driving them out of their homes without any recourse nor assistance from government,” he said.
Ridon added he would “review previous relocation projects undertaken by both national and local governments to determine whether relocation sites are built with acceptable standards for socialized housing.”
“Many relocation sites for the urban poor had substandard housing facilities and infrastructure, no access to potable water systems and located in areas far from employment and public services,” the new commission head said.
“Inadequate infrastructure and services have driven many of our relocated families back into danger areas as well,” he added.
Ridon also said the practice of considering the urban poor as an impediment to development has to stop.
“Many urban poor families comprise the base of employees in government and the private sector. Their welfare in terms of security of employment and living conditions are also main priorities of the Duterte administration.”