Talisay SP asks PNoy for funding for housing plan

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Dennis Basillote, who is the chairman of the committee on shelter, urban poor and rural development, seeks P17.636 million from President Aquino to put up a housing program for the landless who live along rivers and foreshore areas.

In his proposed Resolution No. 2012-24-5, Basillote said the city has the most number of danger areas in Metro Cebu and has more than 20,000 informal settlers living along riverbanks and foreshore areas. 

“The City of Talisay is in need of a vacant lot for the immediate accommodation of landless families and underprivileged Talisaynons who are affected by natural and other emergency situation,” Basillote said. 

Basillote said the city has already identified two areas for future relocation site for the affected families with the total land area of 13,136 square meters. 

These are the Nuñez property, which covers 7,034 sq. meters priced at P1,900 per sq. meter, and amounts to P13,364,600, and the National Housing Authority property, with 6,102 sq. meter at P700 per sq. meter, totaling P4,271,400. 

The Nuñez property is in barangay Tangke while the property of the National Housing Authority is located in sitio Mananga 2, barangay Tabunok. 

Basillote said the city has no money at this time and will turn to the President for assistance.

Last week, the Talisay City council authorized Mayor Socrates Fernandez to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Housing Authority and first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas for the development of a property intended as a relocation site.

Basillote said the city has already identified and acquired lots 3291 & 3292 with an area of 9,360 square meters in sitio Mananga 2, barangay Tabunok.

Basillote said the NHA is mandated to undertake socialized housing and, in pursuance of its mandate, seeks the active participation of local government uits (LGU), private sector, and all other agencies.

The councilor said the city has requested Rep. Gullas to allocate funds under the Local Housing program of NHA for the development of the acquired property in Mananga relocation site. 

He said Gullas has approved and endorsed the city’s request to facilitate the release of the amount for land development for the Mananga riverside relocation site.

The project will be financed through the available local housing fund allocation for the first district administered by the NHA amounting to P4.6 million.