Photo Release

Vertical housing for ISFS: Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito presides over the hybrid hearing of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement Monday, November 28, 2022, on two measures concerning the resettlement of informal settler families (ISFs) in Metro Manila and the National Housing Authority Act. Ejercito said the bills aim to address the housing backlog and ensure the provision of the basic needs of the ISFs. “If houses are built just for compliance and living conditions of potential occupants are not considered, a noble cause to provide shelter is bound to fail. They (ISFs) are here because of their work and if we build houses that are far from their sources of income, without basic facilities such as health and education facilities, then they are bound to leave the resettlement areas,” Ejercito said. He said vertical housing strategically built in cities might be the solution to the resettlement issues. Ejercito said he is in favor of extending the corporate life of the National Housing Authority (NHA). “We must not disarm the NHA with their mandate. We cannot meet our target of building a million houses per year and 6 million by the end of President Bongbong Marcos’ term if the NHA will cease to exist,” Ejercito added. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)