ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo City Government targets to build medium-rise buildings (MRBs) as relocation sites for informal settlers here.
Jeck Conlu, head of Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (Icupao), said Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has ordered the City Assessor's Office to conduct an inventory of the city's properties to find an area as possible pilot site of the project.
“The construction of MRB is one of the top priorities of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog,” he said.
To date, the city has 24 relocation sites that are home to about 7,800 families relocated since the time of former mayor Mansueto Malabor until the term of Mabilog.
Icupao projects show that about 10,000 families are still in need of relocation houses. These are informal settlers located in danger zones like riverbanks and creeks and coasts, those affected by government projects like road widening, and those residing in private lots, especially those served with notice of eviction.
Conlu said the city is exploring possible partnerships with property developers through the latter's socialized housing program.
The Icupao head said MRBs are envisioned to be self-sustaining by keeping the first floor of the five-storey building commercial.
"It will address the livelihood needs of the residents as well as it will provide income to the city government," Conlu said. (PNA)