NHA, PCSO eye housing for vendors

The National Housing Authority (NHA) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) are planning to undertake a P134-million housing project for sidewalk vendors affected by the clearing drive of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Under a memorandum of agreement (MOA), the two agencies will develop a community, Kapalaran Village in Barangay Camarin, Caloocan City, to accommodate 870 homeless families in Metro Manila, including sweepstakes ambulant vendors and relocated squatters.

The NHA will offer a 6.7-hectare property in Caloocan City while the PCSO will fund the development of the land and construction of housing units.

The project will be implemented in accordance with the Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Financing Act (Republic Act 7835) which mandates the PCSO to channel 10 percent of its yearly contributions to charity such as funding of socialized and low-cost housing projects.

The proposed Kapalaran Village will have townhouse units with lot sizes ranging from 32 square meters and single attached units with lot sizes of 48 square meters.

"Despite the fact that NHA has yet to receive its budgetary subsidies from the national government, the agency is operating on corporate funds to be able to implement vital housing programs," said NHA General Manager Edgardo Pamintuan. – Katherine Adraneda