President Duterte, joined by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. (second from left) and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (right), leads the groundbreaking ceremony for Biyaya ng Pagbabago housing project. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO
DAVAO CITY—The poor will have to rely on their luck to own a house in the 840-unit housing project Biyaya ng Pagbabago here.
Mayor Sara Duterte said the city government will draw lots to determine who will get a unit in the housing project built through the aid of two foundations associated with business tycoon Ramon Ang.
President Duterte, the mayor’s father, led the project’s groundbreaking in the village of Los Amigos last week.
Mayor Duterte said it was the President who suggested selecting housing beneficiaries through a draw to avoid suspicions of favoritism in the process.
Although Mr. Duterte had said beneficiaries would mainly be rebel returnees and fire victims, the mayor said the city government was still drawing up a list which might also include other applicants and those living in high-risk areas, who were under constant threat of displacement.
The City Information Office said applicants should first be evaluated by government agencies like the City Social Services and Development Office. It said qualified applicants would be required to submit letters of intent to participate in the draw.
San Miguel Corp.’s community relations arm, San Miguel Foundation, poured in P1 billion while the National Housing Authority set aside P24 million to fund the construction of the houses.
Ang, who chairs SMC, is also a major benefactor of Pilipinong May Puso Foundation, which will take care of the social component of the project.
Mayor Duterte described the housing project as “a step forward” toward the city’s target of providing “gainful employment, decent housing, educational opportunities and healthy living [to] all Dabawenyos.” —ALLAN NAWAL