Trinidad says politics derailed housing project

MANILA, Philippines - Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad has said politics got in the way and caused the delay in the completion of the city government’s housing project in Tanay, Rizal.

The mayor said majority of the members of the city council are his political rivals and did not approve the additional budget needed to fast-track construction of the housing units in Barangay Sampiro, Tanay.

“It is unfortunate that relocation of the hundreds of family-beneficiaries will have to wait until after election time. I am optimistic that they will still give me the chance to serve them and make this project a reality for those without permanent homes,” Trinidad said in an interview.

Trinidad previously said the relocation of some 500 families might take place early this year. He said the initial batch to be transferred to Barangay Sampiro are 500 families living along the Estero Tripa de Galina near the Tramo area and Gotamco along F. B. Harrison street.

“Additional families will afterwards be relocated since the 10-hectare area is envisioned to accommodate a total of 1,800 informal settlers including their respective families,” he said.

However, Trinidad said the initial P200 million spent by the city government was not enough, and the city council thumbed down a resolution for an additional budget of P100 million for the project.

Unfortunately, majority of the council members belong to the camp opposed to his administration.

“There will actually be 1,800 lots available. Each family-beneficiary will have to pay P100 per square meter per month for 10 years, or P1,000 yearly and they will be the ones who will take care of putting up structures,” Trinidad said.

He noted that once the residents are settled in the area, the city government will help the residents put up stores and other small businesses.