Council approves "guide" for housing programs

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Council passed on first reading the creation of a "shelter framework plan" that will serve as a guide for all housing programs and projects to address homelessness and security for urban poor residents in the next six years.

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the committee on urban poor, said nongovernment organizations took part in the crafting of the plan, which went through several consultations with various stakeholders.

This will be implemented from 2011 to 2016, Dizon said. The general idea contained in the plan is for the City to provided housing programs that are affordable and decent.

Dizon said that the Local Government Code of 1991 devolved to the local government units the responsibility of providing programs for low-cost housing and other mass dwellings except those funded by Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and Home Development Mutual Fund.

"The local government units are mandated to formulate the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for their respective localities in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Development and Housing Act," Dizon said.

If the ordinance will be approved, the city government will also adopt and approve strategies to implement housing projects, including those for middle-income earners.

It will also provide a check and monitoring so that PAG-IBIG housing programs would cater to the housing needs of middle-income earners.

The proposal also includes the giving of incentives for groups, cooperative housing, and non-profit groups providing housing programs for middle-income earners.

Under the ordinance, the City will develop 100 hectares of land in Barangay Toong as the Urban Poor City and provide livelihood opportunities at relocation sites.  

The City have seven relocation sites including in Busay, Pitos, Budlaan and Lahug.

Also, all the fire victims must be given housing materials and be allowed to reconstruct their houses.

It is the Local Housing Board and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor that are required to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from ordinance's approval, while the the Cebu City Local Housing Board would serve as the primary policy-making body. (FREEMAN)