[ Manila Bulletin Online ] March 27, 2008
ILOILO CITY — The number of illegal dwellers in this city has dramatically decreased, from 21,000 families in 2001 to 9,000 families this year, Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) head said.
ICUPAO Chief Roy Firmeza said more than 50 percent of squatters have availed of the community mortgage program, private owners providing relocation sites to relocates, and the city government allotting a portion of its annual budget to purchase lots for the purpose of land banking.
He said the city government is targeting that by 2015, the squatters in the city will be lessened by 80 percent more.
He said, as of present, around 62 percent of squatter families are situated in coastal barangays, followed by those living in easements and old railway track.
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