Las Piñas City inaugurated a mass housing project for about 161 informal settler families (ISFs) at Green Archers Compound, Barangay Pulanglupa Uno.
Vice mayor April Aguilar and councilor Mark Anthony Santos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of additional housing units for two more phases of the local government project.
The late mayor Vergel Aguilar initiated the project and implemented its first phase two years ago with the help of the National Housing Authority, the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), and the city’s Local Housing Development Office.
Two years ago, 41 ISFs received housing units under the first phase of the project, located in the same compound. A total of 202 beneficiaries are now paying monthly amortization to NHA.
Each unit measures 24 square meters. The land, once owned by three individuals, was turned over to the beneficiary families through the intercession of Santos’ office, which helped them organize and apply for a socialized housing scheme.
Santos said beneficiaries include public school teachers, government employees, tricycle drivers, and market vendors who have low incomes and cannot afford decent housing at market rates.
As the council’s chairman of informal settlers, house and land use, Santos said the city government convinced the private landowner to sell the land through the government’s community mortgage program (CMP).
Under the program, legally organized associations of low-income groups are assisted in acquiring and developing land.
“Our effort to provide housing assistance for Las Piñas residents is slowly bearing fruit. This event proves our commitment to bringing comfort to our constituents through the distribution of housing units,” Santos said.
Santos said the beneficiaries are organized by the LGU into homeowners’ associations that maintain cleanliness and order in the new communities.
The associations also serve as conduits between the LGU and residents for self-help programs that can improve their income and living conditions.
Apart from access to electrical and water utilities, the households will receive a package of assistance, including medical, livelihood, and scholarship programs.
Santos said the city council is also asking Mayor Imelda Aguilar to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for the “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pamilyang Pilipino (4PH)” program.
Santos said the 4PH program aims to provide affordable housing to residents, including in-city relocation for informal settlers. The program also features green elements, such as communal open spaces and gardens, as well as amenities like swimming pools and a basketball court, to ensure comfortable and improved living conditions for residents.
