Pasig to conduct just social housing projects 

As the Pasig City local government aims to fulfill its social housing projects in 2023, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto gave the assurance that relocation operations will uphold the social justice aspect of the program, specifically the rights of its beneficiaries, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

During the flag raising ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 3, Sotto assured that the city government will conduct the program in a peaceful and orderly manner and will not neglect the aspect of social justice.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi dapat demolish lang ng walang lilipatan ang mga tao, samantalang may mga karapatan sila at may mga nagpatira sa kanila diyan dati (What this means is we are not simply demolishing homes with no relocation plans for the people because they have rights and others have allowed them to live in those areas),” he said.

The mayor had previously said that the local government is actively consulting with the beneficiaries in regards to their land issues and relocation needs, in keeping with Pasig City’s inclusive housing initiative.

The local government is ensuring that the relocation sites are fully equipped, have electricity and water, and are situated in a reasonable distance from schools and hospitals or health centers before they are occupied.

Sotto shared that the local government will obtain the writ of possession in an expropriation case in Barangay Kalawaan.

The writ of possession is expected to be obtained by the second quarter of the year at the latest.

The mayor shared last April 2022 that the local government filed an expropriation proceeding for a five hectare land for an in-city relocation site for residents in the danger zones along the city’s floodways.

Negotiations have also been done between the local government and landowners for the purchase of land in ISMAR, Barangay Kalawaan. The local government has also mediated a discussion between the two groups with land claims in the area.

The housing projects are intended for those who are currently residing in danger zones in the city such as the Westbank and the Manggahan Floodway. Also included are residents in Barangay Santolan, particularly those near the Marikina River, who will be affected by the revetment wall project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Aside from the relocation site in Barangay Kalawaan, there are also plans to build two medium-rise buildings in Barangay Santolan.

Back in April 2022, consultation meetings for the proposed development plan for Lot 11-A in Barangay Santolan were continued after being delayed by the pandemic. Titles have also been given to residents in Lots 2 and 3 in Barangay Santolan by the local government.

An Usufruct Agreement was also signed in 2021 for a 600-unit housing project as part of the Rosario Floodway People’s Plan.

Land banking

In the P15 billion approved budget for this year, Sotto said the local government has allotted around P1 billion pesos for land acquisition or “land banking.”

Since 95 percent of land in Pasig City has been built-up or occupied, the local government continues to be on the lookout for available lands to buy in order to build schools, health centers, and other infrastructure.

Last Oct. 20, 2022, Deeds of Sale were signed by the local government to acquire two pieces of land – one in Barangay Nagpayong, and the other in Barangay Pinagbuhatan.

The 25,825 square meter land in Nagpayong, worth P142 million, is intended for the expansion of social services (namely the Kanlungan sa Pasig) and the public park, the construction of an evacuation site, school annex buildings, and a new school.

The 3,352 square meter land worth P60 million in Pinagbuhatan will be used for school expansion.

Sotto said that the land proposals go through the Land Appraisal Committee before he is allowed to make an offer. They will then negotiate for the lowest fair price for the lands. Afterwards, the City Council can authorize the payment inclusive of taxes.