[ sunstar.com.ph ] November 25, 2008
THE lack of decent housing in the country is gradually being solved in Iloilo City with the opening of the first 500 houses for the urban poor sector.
Vice-President Noli de Castro led the groundbreaking rites last Friday for the first batch of houses to be built at the relocation in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district.
The first batch of houses will benefit the families affected by the Iloilo City flood control project (ICFCP) and those who were victims of the Typhoon Frank last June 21.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. said the core shelter project is a prominent social justice in action implemented by the government as it equalizes the social forces of the state so that those who have least in life should have more assistance from the government.
Also present at the groundbreaking rites are Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Sec. Gonzalez, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. and representatives of National Housing Authority (NHA) and UN Habitat for Humanity.
The National Government allocated P35 million, through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), to finance the core shelter program.
According to Treñas several organizations and government offices are currently helping in the realization of a decent housing for more than 2,000 families living along the areas classified as danger zones, including those living near creeks and riverbanks.
Treñas said a total of 1,114 housing units will built at the 16 hectares city-owned lot in Barangay Sam Isidro, Jaro district.
Aside from the 500 units, Gawad Kalinga will also build 300 units, Rep. Gonzalez, 150 units; Senator Miguel Zubiri, 40 units, and 16 units funded by the French government under Chameleon Center.
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