The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte have agreed to focus on clearing informal settler families (ISFs) from the city’s waterways due to the hazards of living in danger zones, especially during the rainy season.

In a recent meeting, DHSUD and Quezon City officials discussed collaborative efforts to implement housing projects targeting the city’s most vulnerable and underserved sectors, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Alinsunod po yan sa utos ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na ilayo sa mga delikadong lugar ang ating mga kababayan, sa mga tabing ilog, estero at iba pang daluyan ng tubig. Kailangan ilipat natin sa disente at ligtas na lugar,” Secretary Aliling said.

He further expressed his optimism, stating, “Ako po’y nagagalak at aligned ang aming vision ni Mayor Joy para sa pagsusulong ng mga proyektong pabahay dito sa Quezon City sa ilalim ng Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino o 4PH Program ng ating Pangulo.”

Both officials agreed to prioritize Quezon City residents living along various waterways in rolling out the Expanded 4PH projects within the city. They also expressed preference for rental housing schemes as the most suitable arrangement for affected families.

“We are in favor of rental (housing),” said Mayor Belmonte.

Since assuming office in May, Secretary Aliling has mandated the inclusion of rental housing among the new modalities under the Expanded 4PH Program, with plans to pilot the scheme at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City.

Quezon City Hall estimates approximately 13,000 families reside along the city’s different waterways.

“Just give us the list of priority sites, then if you have available land where we can proceed with the project,” Secretary Aliling said.

Mayor Belmonte noted that the city government can provide suitable land and reiterated, “Rental is really the best way forward.”

She added, “Super pabor po kami sa rental…kasi hindi talaga kaya ng mga tao ang ownership for a highly urbanized (dahil sa mahal ng lupa), so ngayon na magka-align na po tayo, rental housing na lang.”