Abalos plans socialized high-rises

The Mandaluyong City government is eyeing to build five in-city socialized public housing buildings for homeless residents, Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. said.

The 88-year-old mayor, who has just returned from a 14-year political hiatus, said he would prioritize in-city housing projects under his term.

"I'm targeting five condominiums to be constructed here in Mandaluyong," Abalos told members of the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps headed by Daily Tribune's reporter Neil Alcober, during the group's courtesy call on Tuesday.

The housing projects will benefit not just poor families, but also middle income residents who do not have their own houses, the veteran local chief executive added.

"We will build high-rise condominiums so we can give benefits to our high-income people who do not have their own houses," Abalos said.

He said building vertically is the best way for a highly -urbanized city like Mandaluyong to save on space.

"I asked the National Housing Authority, if possible, make them 24 floors to maximize the use of the land," the mayor added.

Abalos said he also prioritizes peace and order in Mandaluyong ever since he became mayor of the city.

"I want a stable peace and order in our city, so we can invite investors," he said.