Multi-billion shelter plan to house 125k families
THE ball is already rolling for a multi-billion shelter plan that seeks to provide homes to 125,000 families in danger zones and squatter areas.
Davao City Councilor Rene Elias Lopez estimates that the project will run for five years.
Lopez, during the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong media forum last Tuesday said that two weeks ago the Local Housing Board passed a unanimous resolution endorsing the local shelter plan of the city.
"Now this plan is already with the city executive, and will be discussed with the City Development Council (CDC) and if the CDC approves the shelter plan, it will be transmitted to the 18th Davao City Council for final approval and eventual funding," Lopez said
He said that a local shelter plan is pegged at 39 Billion, and it is a big undertaking of the city in pursuit of a specific provision of the Local Shelter Code enacted in the year 2008.
"Eventually if the local shelter plan gains both the approval of the executive and legislative, then it is a very important day for us Dabawenyos because this time, the local government will address the needs of the Dabawenyos especially those who are in squartter areas, informal settlers, those people living on dangerous areas, and those people living in private lands ought to be evicted and demolished," he said.
As of the moment, Lopez said that the city is being offered 103 hectares (aggregate land of 20 titles) for the plan.
"We are envisioning 255 hectares to put 125,000 families in the next five years. Now we are still evaluating more if there are Dabawenyos who have lots which they will be able to share to the Dabawenyos which do not have homes, they can approach the mayor, and maybe the city will acquire it for the purpose of the housing of our fellow Dabawenyos," he said.
Lopez said that they are still evaluating also the 103 hectares of lands offered for housing purposes for it suitability in accordance of the zoning classification of the land.
"These are being offered for sale to the city, right now it is being evaluated and hopefully if we have enough land, we will come to a right price and the city might be able to acquire it for the pursuance of this local shelter plan," Lopez said.