Probe sought on delayed Lupang Arenda socialized housing project

 Senator Imee Marcos  (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday filed a resolution directing the upper chamber to look into the “unreasonable delay” on the issuance of a Presidential Proclamation to reserve the Lupang Arenda for socialized housing.

Lupang Arenda is a 171-hectare tract of land in Taytay, Rizal — 95 hectares of which are occupied by at least 20,000 households.

Sen. Marcos, in filing Senate Resolution No. 900, said about 80 hectares of the public land “have been set aside for socialized housing development” pursuant to Proclamation No. 704.

“Existing residents of Lupang Arenda, who are living therein since 1996 and who are qualified beneficiaries under proclamation No. 704 and Republic Act no. 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, have long been fighting for their rights to be granted ownership of their respective lands,” said Marcos.

Sen. Marcos likewise pointed out that a request for a Proclamation for housing purposes has already been filed pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 157.

“The Alliance of People’s Organizations in Lupang Arenda, on behalf of Lupang Arenda’s residents, filed a request for a Proclamation for housing purposes in 2017,” said Marcos.

Despite this, Marcos noted that no Presidential Proclamation for housing issued in favor of the Lupang Arenda residents has been issued to date.