DBM turns over P600M to NHA

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) turned over P600 million to the National Housing Authority last month to cover the relocation of 2,069 informal settler families (ISFs) along the rivers and waterways of Pateros.

The amount forms part of the P50-billion ISF Fund appropriated for the NHA-led five-year housing program for families living in danger zones.  

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said the relocation program is aimed at supporting local government units in providing housing and assistance, relocating families from flood-prone areas to safer communities, and improving sanitation and disaster-preparedness in problem areas in Metro Manila. 

“One of the Aquino administration’s goals is to give marginalized families—ISFs in particular—safer and more secure housing, away from areas that compromise their health or are vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters,” Abad said.

Barangay Aguho, with the most number of ISFs comprising 786 families, will receive P227.9 million in resettlement aid.

All family-beneficiaries in Pateros will be resettled at Phase 5 of the Southville 9 Housing Project in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal.

A total of P20.1 billion has already been released since the P50-billion five-year housing program was launched in 2011, benefiting a total of 104,219 families.

Under the program, each family-beneficiary will get a house and lot package worth P290,000 in the assigned resettlement area.