Press Release
February 5, 2009

Legarda seeks housing and resettlement aid for urban homeless

Senator Loren Legarda on Wednesday pushed for resettlement and rehabilitation services for homeless citizens in urban areas.

"We should build home sites and resettlement centers where those in esteros and squatter areas could live decently and safely," Legarda said.

The Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement conducted a public hearing on Senate Bill 3011 which Senator Legarda filed. SB 3011 provides for resettlement aid for homeless citizens living in dangerous areas.

Legarda noted that homeless persons who are living in esteros, garbage dumps, and sidewalks are exposing themselves to risks of demolition and disasters.

"It is our task to ensure that all our people are living in safe and decent conditions," Legarda said.

An earlier law, R.A. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, provides for a comprehensive and continuing urban development and housing program. But resource persons in the public hearing testified that the law is not being implemented.

"Senator Legarda's bill provides for the integration of funding which are already available to social housing programs," said Froilan Kampitan, Asst. General Manager of the National Housing Authority.

Anna Marie A. Karaos, Executive Director of the Institute for Church and Social Issues, said that "more than the funds, there is a need to do an investigation of why the funds that have already been given to housing programs are not moving."

She stressed, though, that funds are essential in the success of housing programs.

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