Land for 700 urban poor families in Valenzuela

After over 30 years of sitting on idle government property and battling a number of demolition orders, members of some 700 families in Valenzuela City now get to live on land they can call their own.

This came about after representatives of the city government led by City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, the homeowners association-beneficiary Samahang Magkakapitbahay ng Rose Packing Inc. (SMRPI) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) that owned the land, yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) sealing the purchase and distribution of the property to the long-time informal settlers now numbering over 3,500.

Gatchalian said that the dream to own the land on which their homes stood finally became a reality through the cooperative efforts of the city government and the other stakeholders.

The mayor added that the land acquisition was also due primarily to the DBP and the city government’s Informal Settlers Loan Assistance program (ISLAP).

"Through these loan programs, they now own the land they have occupied for a long time. These families can now look forward to a brighter future," said Gatchalian.

The 4.2-hectare property in Pinalagad, Barangay Malinta was bought for P20 million and will be officially owned by the recipients through the ISLAP window and the direct financing program of the DBP.

Gatchalian said P2 million was granted to the homeowners by the city government partly through the ISLAP. The lots will be payable at a six percent interest per annum (roughly P180 per month per lot) for three years.

The mayor said the launching of the ISLAP was prompted by his desire to help the urban poor sector in acquiring affordable housing loans. He said he feels with the landless, homeless poor who had to directly battle and endure the dire effects of demolition and dislocation.

The DBP, for its part, loaned out an P18-million package to be directly paid by the neighborhood association with a 10 percent interest per annum (P750 a month per lot) for five years.

Pinalagad used to be a dumpsite for local government units of Metro Manila, longtime residents said. The population grew over the years with the influx of local migrants from virtually all provinces in the country, mostly from Bicol, the Ilocos, Central Luzon and the Visayas.

Residents said they used to live a life of grinding poverty and with no basic services to speak of from the local government.

"From the stinking heap, we have risen and will continue to rise in progress. Maraming salamat po, Mayor Win at sa DBP," said 30-year resident Violy Espana, 60.