High-rise type residences ideal for relocation of informal settlers in QC – Belmonte

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte stresses the need to change the mindset of the people of the city first before going all-out in setting into motion the relocation plan.

MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said she would push for high-rise type dwellings to maximize land area and cater to hundreds of thousands of informal settlers as part of her planned massive in-city relocation in Quezon City.

“One of the concerns for our planned in-city relocation is our area, whether we have available space in QC where we can construct houses for our informal settlers. I think to solve this, we should change the mindset of our people first,” Belmonte said.

“Kailangan magbago ang mindset ng mga tao dahil ang gusto nila, ayon sa kinagisnan, ay may kapiraso silang lupa at bungalow style. Hindi na pwede ‘yon. ‘Yon ang kailangan kong idiin sa kanila,” added.

Belmonte shared that the high-rise type of residential development covering a smaller land area for relocation is ideal in Quezon City, unlike the typical National Housing Authority (NHA) structures which are bungalow-type houses with spare spaces usually used as a mini-garden.

“Kailangan, kung gusto talaga nating manatili sa lungsod at malapit sa sentro ng city ang ating mga residente, we will have to maximize our use of smaller spaces with a high-rise type of a residential structure,” the vice mayor stressed.

“That way, even we have limited square meters of land, many families could still benefit. I know this is something different but that’s the solution we think can solve the city’s housing backlog,” Belmonte noted.

On Wednesday, Belmonte vowed to implement massive in-city relocation for the city’s informal settler families (ISF) to promote secured socialized housing and inclusive growth.

“My goal is to keep QC residents to live within our city. If you are from Quezon City, then you should be living here in Quezon City,” Belmonte said.

Quezon City has been active in providing socialized housing programs for its residents which includes the construction of Bistekville, introduced by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and with over 1, 678 units in Payatas, Kaligayahan, and Culiat; and the passing of the Comprehensive Socialized Housing Code in 2018 by the Quezon City Council.