Housing for 1.9 million informal settlers possible in 3 years, says Pacquiao

LOOK: Informal settlers of Sitio San Roque receive relief goods, consisting of 5 kilos of rice and 13 pieces of assorted canned goods, from the City Government of Quezon City on Thursday, April 2, 2020, a day after police authorities arrested protesting settlers demanding food and government aid amidst the Luzon wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).-INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao insisted on Wednesday that his housing dream for nearly 10 million informal settlers and families who are still renting homes “is not impossible.”

In fact, Pacquiao believes that the government can provide free housing for 1.9 million informal settler families in just three years.

“Noong sinabi ko pangarap ko na mabigyan ng pabahay ang lahat ng informal settlers sa buong Pilipinas, ang sabi ng mga ibang tao, imposible yan kasi sa puso nila nandun yung greediness. Pero sa hindi greedy na tao, sa generous na puso ng tao, all things are possible,” Pacquiao said in an online media briefing on Wednesday.

(When I said before that my dream is to provide housing to all informal settlers in the Philippines, some people say it’s impossible because they have greediness in their hearts. But for those who are not greedy, for those with a generous heart, all things are possible)

Citing the government’s data, the senator said there are 1.9 million informal settlers nationwide and 25 percent of them are in Metro Manila.

“In three years po lahat yan, magkakaroon ng sariling tahanan. Wala pong babayaran,” he said.

(In three years, all of them can have their own home. Everything is free)

Pacquiao explained that he only made a conservative estimate earlier of ending squatting in four to five years so he would not be called a liar.

“Ito pong pabahay ko, hindi po ito imposible,” he stressed. “Possible lahat po itong sinasabi ko, alisin lang po natin yung greediness sa puso natin…”

Aside from the informal settlers, the senator also targets the estimated 6.7 million families who don’t have their own homes yet.

“Hindi lamang po ito yung 1.9 na informal settlers na walang bahay kundi po pati yung mga nagrerenta nasa 6.7 million families na wala pong bahay at yan po ang target natin. At uunahin po natin yang mga informal settlers para magkaroon ng sariling tahanan,” he said.

(Not only the 1.9 million informal settlers but even the 6.7 million families that are renting and that’s our target. We’ll just prioritize the informal settlers)

Pacquiao, who has yet to decide whether or not to run for president in 2022, said the government can provide housing for the homeless if it can only eradicate corruption.

/MUF