Atienza: Convert idle lands into housing projects

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said the city government is now working with the national government for the immediate conversion of idle public and private lands in the city into sites for low-cost housing for employees and workers with minimum wages.

"There are so many public lands in the city, which remain idle and unproductive since the end of World War II that could be put to good use," Atienza told reporters during a briefing yesterday morning. "Many of these lands are situated in prime areas such as the downtown Manila area."

Atienza said he has spoken with President Arroyo, who gave him the go signal to implement the projects which low and average-wage earners from the public and private sectors are expected to benefit from.

The President earlier directed all local government officials to work for low-cost housing projects in their respective localities in pursuance of the provisions of Republic Act 7279, also known as the Urban Development Housing Act.

With the present rate of apartment rentals, an average-wage earner cannot afford to have a decent house to live in, particularly in prime cities like Manila and Quezon. An apartment with two bedrooms costs more than P5,000 monthly, which is too expensive for ordinary employees earning minimum wage.

Atienza said he hopes to alleviate the burden of his constituents with the projects and at the same time improve their living standards.

The mayor said he tapped Enerico Sampang, one of the city’s urban planning consultants, to head a team that would consolidate the list of all idle lands in the city owned by the national government, city government and private individuals.

After identifying these lands, the mayor added, the team would assess which of the sites are good for medium-rise housing projects.

Idle lands already identified as possible sites for medium-rise housing are located at the corner of Juan Luna and Dasmariñas streets in Binondo and on P. Paterno street, which are owned by the Bureau of Public Lands and Department of Labor and Employment, respectively.

Atienza said government land also being eyed for low-cost housing projects is the one inside Intramuros, which has been taken over by squatters.

On private lands, he noted that through expropriation proceedings, properties, which have remained idle for decades but are suitable for low-cost projects, could be acquired.