Gov’t allots P1B for resettlement of Manila Bay informal settlers

MANILA, Philippines — The government will set aside P1 billion in its 2021 national budget for the resettlement of informal settlers affected by the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

In his budget message to Congress, President Duterte said the allocation is meant to help the urban poor and people living in inadequate housing conditions who were considered by the World Health Organization as among those vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks in urban settings.

Some P2.2 billion will also be infused in the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program under the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the President noted.

“This will be done by providing transportation and relocation assistance, transitory family support package, and livelihood settlement grants to 10,000 returning families and receiving community members. Moreover, a total of P0.6 billion under the budget of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development aims to improve our resettlement infrastructure support,” Duterte said.

“We will also allot P1 billion to the National Housing Authority for the resettlement of informal settler families (ISFs) affected by the rehabilitation and clean-up of the Manila Bay area; and P369 million to the Social Housing Finance Corporation to ensure safe and flood-resilient housing solutions for ISFs residing in danger areas in Metro Manila,” he added.

EDV