[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 10, 2008
By JONATHAN HICAP
Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro has vowed additional funds next year for the city’s socialized housing program.
San Pedro, Undersecretary Percival Chavez of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and Rep. Ruffy Biazon were the main guests at the People’s Organizations Convention, organized by the city’s Urban Poor Affairs Office. It was attended by officers and members of urban poor groups.
"The city government through our city council will allot a bigger fund next year for the purchase of lands that can be used for socialized housing," Mayor San Pedro said.
The convention was attended by 163 urban poor associations in eight barangays in Muntinlupa, drawing about 545 people, according to UPAO.
Muntinlupa City Council members were also there. According to lawyer Fernando Diaz, UPAO chief and executive director of the Local Housing Board, the convention was held in order to get the inputs of urban poor associations with regard to the city government’s housing program and to discuss the Urban Poor Solidarity Day that will be held in December.
Diaz said the solidarity day is important as it will recognize the importance of urban poor in society.
Mayor San Pedro said the city government is planning to create more socialized housing projects for Muntinlupa’s poor sector.
Recently, he and Vice President Noli De Castro visited the Southville Resettlement Project in NBP Reservation, Poblacion in Muntinlupa where families living along the Philippine National Railways line in the city started transferring to the new housing project.
___________________________________________________________________
