Elpidio Jordan Jr., chair of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has vowed to back to the advocacy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reduce the country’s poverty rate to 9 percent by the end of his term in 2028.
He l immediately initiated efforts to intensify PCUP’s programs and activities to fulfill its mandate of promoting the welfare of the urban poor across the country, particularly in the National Capital Region, where most of the marginalized families have flocked in the hope to find better opportunities.
Jordan met recently with representatives of beleaguered residents of Pangarap Village, Caloocan City, led by village executive Bernardo Quiboy to discuss the current situation of the informal settler families (ISFs) who have reportedly been experiencing harassment from security personnel sent by property owner Carmel Development Inc.
Commissioner for the NCR Rey Galupo offered to facilitate the speedy resolution of the issue by personally meeting with the developer, local police, and other stakeholders to ease the prevailing tension between the land owners and ISFs.
Jordan welcomed Galupo’s offer, saying that Galupo’s initiative could pave the way for a peaceful settlement that would end in a win-win situation for all parties concerned. Rio N. Araja
“Our role here at the PCUP is to help all and resolve the problems besetting the urban poor, mostly those aggrieved, within the bounds of the law that all are equal,” Jordan said.