Brought about by multi-stakeholder partnerships towards slum-upgrading in Valenzuela City, 22 more families moved in to better and safer homes in Tandang Manang, Barangay Parada as Habitat for Humanity and city officials turned over their newly-constructed houses.

The latest batch brings to a total of 34 families who are now sheltered by the houses built through a special financing arrangement with Greater Metro Manila Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (HFHP), or commonly known as Habitat for Humanity, anon-profit Christian Ministry that helps families in need to acquire affordable, decent and durable homes.

The construction is part of the redevelopment of the area into a subdivision by tearing down structures and re-blocking the entire neighborhood to improve the physical and living conditions of the whole community.

According to Ms. Ellen Reyes, head of the city’s Housing and Resettlement Office (HRO), the beneficiaries are among the 60 family members of the Tandang Manang Homeowners Association who availed of a 10-year loan with easy-payment scheme from the HFHP.

The neighborhood is in a 2,709 square meter property owned by the Ramos’ family.  However, she revealed that the Tandang Manang residents are already in acquisition phase with the owners through direct-buying.

Tandang Manang Homeowners Association President, Eusebio Sabaulan said that their group came into an agreement with the land owners in 2009 to purchase the property which is valued at PhP 8,127,000.  The support from the City Government and Barangay Parada officials “pushed the talks to a resolution”, he added.

Sabaulan further said that the land equity has been sub-divided among the families and is being paid monthly. Their association is also negotiating with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency that undertakes financing of social housing programs that cater to the formal and informal sectors, to help them pay the remaining balance to the land owner.

This multi-stakeholder approach, according to Reyes, is the key in addressing various housing needs in the city, that is why “Valenzuela City will consider effective legal options in providing assistance to constituents in achieving their right to proper shelter.”

A Day Care Center and utility services are already in place in Tandang Manang, while roads and ripraping of a portion of the property along a creek will be constructed by the city government once all the necessary documents are at hand. 

City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian and Reyes both attended the turn over and dedication of completed houses on July 16. Also present were Second District Councilor Lai Nolasco, Barangay Parada officials and Greater Metro Manila HFHI representatives led by its President, Marc Cabrera and Community Development Committee Chairman, Pastor Jay Tabana and the housing partners themselves.