Condo living set for Valenzuela settlers
Landowners paid P123 million so construction can start
More than 1,600 informal settlers in the flood and fire-prone community of Laon, Veinte Reales in Valenzuela will soon be provided with better homes as the city is
set to embark on the construction of a 34- building socialized housing project in January 2021.
The project is the result of an agreement between the city government of Valenzuela and the Social Housing Finance Corporation ( SHFC) signed on 3 December by Mayor Rex Gatchalian with the company. Signing for SHFC was its vice president for special projects Atty. Tristan Tresvalles.
The checks amounting to P123.4 million were handed to landowners Rosalinda Mary Cheng Lim and Hubert Lim as payment for their family’s sixhectare Laon property.
Under the agreement, SHFC will fund the lot acquisition, site development, and building construction of the Laon housing project through its Vertical Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
“With the implementation of the Vertical Housing CMP here in Laon, we want to prove that in-city relocation can be done without displacing families,” Tresvalles said.
Upon payment to the landowners, the city government of Valenzuela can start demolishing the houses to make way for the construction of the SHFC buildings.
The construction of the housing project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
“The construction of the Laon housing project marks another milestone for Valenzuela City as it continues to uplif t the dignity of its people through its sustainable housing programs,” Gatchalian said.
“After 37 years, finally, one of our biggest informal settler communities in the first district will be transformed into a formal community. [ In 2021,] Laon, Veinte Reales’ families now living in shanties will move into these high- rise units,” he said.
Once completed, residents can choose between a 36-sq.m. unit or a 42-sq.m, unit. The rent-to-own house and lot units are payable in 30 years.