The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is eyeing to tap owners of private lands in Metro Manila and other urban areas across the country for the on-site, in-city housing projects that would benefit informal settler families and low-income earners.
“For a long time, we are not able to provide proper shelters to ISFs living in private properties, especially in urban areas. At the same time, the owners of these lands do not have the opportunity to develop their properties for optimum advantage. With the ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ , we can achieve both with appropriate planning,” said Acuzar.
Acuzar said the partnership between the DHSUD and private landowners are beneficial for the land owners and called the partnership a “win-win” solution for the government and land owners. “Most of these lands are found in the metropolis or in the center of urban areas – some owned by private citizens – where ISFs persistently thrive. What we are pushing through our housing program is ‘advantageous’ to both real estate owners and informal settler families currently inhabiting private properties,” said Acuzar.