05/22/2008 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Some 126,230 families living in almost sub-human environment, especially those along esteros, dumps and other danger zones in Metro Manila, could soon enjoy the amenities of “decent, humane and safe” living conditions.
Speaker Prospero Nograles last Tuesday stressed the approval by the House committee on housing and urban development chaired by Rep. Rodolfo Valencia of the proposed P3-billion special fund under House Bill 2596 to address their plight is “timely and necessary” with the onset of the rainy season.
“This P3-billion three-year program collectively initiated by Metro Manila lawmakers led by Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing deserves the support of everyone, including the private sector, in wake of the perennial problems and tragedies that lurk every rainy season,” Nograles said.
At the same time, Nograles said he was informed by Valencia that the committee report on his proposal that will stop foreclosures and allow home owners to restructure their housing loan accounts is set to be submitted to the plenary early next week.
Nograles, who authored the Loan Condonation Act of 1998 (Republic Act 8501) and the extension of the Rent Control Law (RA 8437) while he was head of the committee on housing during the 10th Congress, said many Filipinos with housing loans have defaulted in their mortgage payments due to increasing economic pressure caused by the rising costs of food, fuel and energy.
On the proposal to extend P3 billion for the resettlement of informal dwellers, Nograles said Valencia’s judicious action mirror’s the House leadership’s determination to “put in place permanent solutions to alleviate the sad plight of our people in depressed areas.”
Valencia said his committee has forwarded the substitute bill to the committee on appropriations chaired by Rep. Edcel Lagman for comment on the funding component. “Chairman Lagman is known for his prompt and judicious action.”
The proposed bill is entitled “An Act Appropriating the Sum of Three Billion Pesos for the Aid, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Services for the Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens affected in the demolition of houses/dwellings along danger areas such as esteros, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways and other public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, playgrounds and those affected by government infrastructure projects.”
“The P3-billion program will bring about more than 10-fold social benefits in terms of employment, peace and order, environment protection, the birth of new downstream small and medium enterprises within and adjacent the covered areas of the development program,” Valencia said.
Led by Bagatsing, the other principal authors include Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, Representatives Mary Anne Susano, Benjamin Asilo, Jaime Lopez, Maria Zenaida Ang-ping, Ma. Teresa Bonoan-David, Bienvenido Abante, Vincent Crisologo, Mat Defensor, Nannette Castelo-Daza, Del de Guzman and Eduardo Zialcita.
Government statistics for Metro Manila show approximately 14,132 families live along esteros, 11,340 along road right of way, 67,949 along waterways, 14,072 along transmission lines, 2,821 near airports and about 16,506 spread in areas of priority development, dump sites.
Valencia shared Bagatsing’s sentiment that “this will be a landmark legislation that aims to solve many, if not all, problems in housing, health, environment, tourism, criminality and other collateral issues and, most of all, restore the dignity of our underprivileged citizens.”
Other prime signatories to the bill include senior deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales, Reps. Roilo Golez, Cynthia Villar, Teodoro Locsin, Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Ma. Laarni Cayetano, Henry Duenas Jr. and Oscar Malapitan.
The authors’ list also includes Reps. Mary Mitzi Cajayon, Roman Romulo, Jose Antonio Roxas, Rex Gatchalian, Marcelino Teodoro, Alvin Sandoval and Magtanggol Gunigundo. Charlie V. Manalo
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