Sampaloc, Manila
19 February 2014

As government pushes with its initiative to help the marginalized members of the society, President Benigno S. Aquino III personally inspected the newly established Estero de San Miguel micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) located in Sampaloc, Manila.

In his remarks, President Aquino emphasized that this housing project will provide much safer homes for the informal settler families (ISF) residing in perilous areas in various parts of Metro Manila. He added that their relocation will also address massive flooding problems around the area.

“Makakaasa kayong mapa-on-site man o off-site ang relocation, pangungunahan ng gobyerno ang paglatag ng sapat na oportunidad para sa inyong pamilya. Bukod sa abot-kaya at malayo sa peligro ang ating pabahay, sinisiguro nating matutugunan rito ang inyong pangunahing pangangailangan,” he said.

Constructed under the Oplan Likas program of the Department of Interior and Local Government, a total number of 3,400 ISFs were successfully relocated to more decent homes. Meanwhile, in Estero de San Miguel alone, 167 ISFs will benefit from this housing project.

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health (DOH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda (NML), mMRB is the first environment friendly housing project in an in-city relocation site. Its distinct features allow the conservation of power and water and can withstand an intensity-7 earthquake.

*  *  *