Las Piñas prevents entry of squatters

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar has reiterated an earlier order banning the influx of squatters into the city while assuring full implementation of an urban housing and community development program for the informal settlers.

The mayor explained that restricting the entry of illegal migrants to Las Piñas was necessary to protect the legitimate residents and ensure the provision of decent housing and livelihood opportunities.

Various community homeowners’ associations were urged to be vigilant against any transients who may attempt to permanently settle in their community. They have been asked to coordinate with their respective barangay officials to prevent the influx of illegal settlers.

Earlier, Aguilar and Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar assisted Vice President Noli de Castro in the distribution of lot certificates to some 52 family-beneficiaries of Samahang Pagkaka-isa at Abot-Kaya Homeowners Association at Golden Acres Subdivision in Barangay Talon 5.

The Vice President also turned over payment of the 1,318 square-meter project lot to three landowners.

One of them was Emma Rose Dy, who agreed to the loan equity program through the National Home Mortgage Program Financial Corp.

For the past 10 years, some 15,000 urban poor families from 65 communities covering about 75 hectares of land in the city’s 21 barangays have benefited from the housing and community development program.

Beneficiaries to the housing projects likewise enjoy the development and improvement of roads, drainage systems, provision of electricity and water supply.

These communities also enjoy the benefits of health centers, day care, multi-purpose hall and livelihood training centers and, in some barangays, elementary and secondary school buildings.