Bagong Bahay, Bagong Buhay! 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. personally joins Valenzuela City Mayor WES Gatchalian during the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony for the Phase 1 of the new Disiplina Village Arkong Bato at M.H. Del Pilar Street, Barangay Arkong Bato on March 27, 2023.

With the full support of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Disiplina Village Arkong Bato is the fourth in-city housing relocation project of the City Government of Valenzuela after Disiplina Village Ugong, Bignay, and Lingunan. It aims to provide decent homes for fire victim families and to relocate the remaining Informal Settler Families (ISFs) living in dangerous areas in the city like areas near waterways and areas along and underneath the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines transmission lines.

The new Disiplina Village Arkong Bato will stand on a 20,709 square meter parcel of land along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Barangay Arkong Bato. It will eventually consist of twenty (20) five-storey medium rise buildings that house 1,200 units which will benefit qualified fire victim families and Informal Settler Families (ISFs). Each unit is sized at approximately 32 square meters, broken down into 16 square meters for the main ground floor area and 16 square meters for the mezzanine level floor area.  Disiplina Village Arkong Bato is strategically located near the city proper where Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) are easily available and accessible for the residents.

Located near the historical Arkong Bato, the façade design of the New Disiplina Village resembles the historical Arkong Bato which agrees with the city’s mission to pursue the preservation of the historical value of the heritage sites in the city. The Arkong Bato Linear Park beside the Disiplina Village site was also inaugurated last March 19, 2023 to serve as another facility for the public and for the future residents of the Disiplina Village Arkong Bato.

In his message, Mayor WES said, “Ang pangalang Disiplina Village ay isang paalala na kailangang may disiplina ang mga naninirahan dito – mga residenteng hindi lamang disiplinado sa kanilang sarili, kung hindi pati na rin sa kanilang tahanan at kapaligiran. Sa kanilang paglipat sa Disiplina Village, hindi lamang tirahan nila ang nabago, kundi pati ang pananaw at pagkilala sa kanilang mga sarili. From informal settlers to homeowners, sila ngayon ay sagisag ng pagbangon sa kahirapan at sumasalamin sa mukha ng bagong Valenzuelano.” [The name Disiplina Village is a reminder that the residents here must have discipline – residents that are not just disciplined with themselves, but also with their homes and surroundings. With their transfer to Disiplina Village, it’s not just their homes that are changed but also their perspectives in life. From being informal settlers to homeowners, they are now the symbol of recovery from poverty.] He then added, “As part of my administration’s direction to make Valenzuela City a Livable City, the City Government, together with the NHA, aims to build another housing project here in Barangay Arkong Bato.”

President Marcos, on the other hand said, “Ang programang ito ay kasama na po sa Build, Better, More Housing Program ng ating administrasyon. Ang Valenzuela ay isang mapakagandang halimbawa sa ating pagsisikap na makamit ang ating hangaring mabigyan ng maayos na pabahay ang ating mga mamamayan. Kaya naman hinihimok ko kayong lahat na ipagpatuloy ang de-kalidad at abot-kayang pabahay upang kayo ay maging sandigan ng bawat Pilipino.” [This program is part of the Build, Better, More Housing Program of our administration. Valenzuela City is a very good example in our mission to achieve our goal of giving decent housing to our countrymen. That is why I am hoping you continue to provide quality and affordable housing so that you can become someone every Filipino can lean on.]

With the success of the previous Disiplina Villages, the city yearns that the future residents that will occupy the Disiplina Village Arkong Bato will live in a safe and sustainable community with adequate facilities. True to its motto “Bagong Bahay, Bagong Buhay”, beneficiaries are empowered to rebuild their lives and become more productive members of their community.

Also present during the event were DSWD Secretary REX Gatchalian, Senators WIN Gatchalian and JV Ejercito, NHA General Manager Joeben Tai, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Congressman Eric Martinez, Councilors Marlon Alejandrino, Ricar Enriquez, Ghogo Deato Lee, Liga ng mga Barangay President Councilor Jonjon Bartolome, and SK Federation President Councilor Goyong Serrano.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the Disiplina Village Arkong Bato serves as another milestone for the city’s mission to provide safe and best quality lifestyle for each and every Valenzuelano while preserving its rich history.

###