LOW INCOME GROUPS URGE HOUSING DEPT, DEVELOPERS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS

October 21, 2022 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY- Low income families in the region appealed to the government through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and developers to build more affordable housing units to meet their financial status. Several representatives of the various local government units across the region who attended the just concluded housing summit supported the call by low wage earners.

Observers and analysts said that by increasing access to affordable housing bolsters economic growth. They added that without affordable housing, families have constrained opportunities to increase earnings, causing slower growth. Engr Maria Amoroso, Regional Director of DHSUD Cordillera vowed to develop
affordable housing units to uplift the lives of the people in the Cordilleras.

“It is our commitment to build a decent and affordable houses that is inclusive, ”said Amoroso whose agency (DHSUD-Cordillera) and Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) Baguio-Benguet Chapter, headed by its president Fernando Tiong, jointly organized the just concluded housing summit held at the New Town Plaza Hotel here. Amoroso stressed that the newly created Baguio-La
Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Metropolitan Authority (BLISTT) would play a critical role in the
government’s shelter program.

Amoroso pointed that a resilient land use plan and zoning will boost local shelter program which lead to the
improvement of the quality of life. Other highlights: Baguio Congressman Marquez Go, represented by his wife Sol, urged housing stakeholders to sustain their efforts in providing affordable houses to the poor and come with innovative reforms programs under the so-called BLISTT whose husband was the author of the said (BLISTT) metropolitan authority.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, represented by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, has acknowledged the efforts of
both government and private sectors in addressing the problem of housing even as he reported that the city has funds to develop socialized housing units devoid of “self-interest.” Councilor Leandro Yangot,
Chairperson-Housing and Land Use Committee, stressed that Public Private Partneship (PPP) play a vital role in meeting housing demands even as he urged stakeholders to “join hands” to mitigate the problem.

Councilor Yangot said based on the report of the City Planning Office, the city has lagged more than 6,000 housing backlog. He also rallied that the city has to develop more Perma Culture type of housing program and land banking to meet future needs.

Primo Agatep/ABN