CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The Manila City Government inaugurated today its in-city horizontal housing project for residents of Basco Compound called Basecommunity.

Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan led the inauguration of the 42-square meter, two-storey townhouse unit which includes two bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, one laundry area, one toilet and bath area.

Domagoso, who had experienced poverty as a child, said the housing project is a fulfillment of the dreams of his parents for him.

"Hindi man natupad ng nanay at tatay ko para sa akin at least — maraming salamat sa Diyos at maraming salamat sa mga Batang Maynila — na binigyan n'yo ako ng pagkakataon na maging alkalde ng lungsod," Domagoso said. (My parents may not have achieved their dream for me at least, I thank God and the Batang Maynila for giving me the chance to be city mayor.)

"Ngayon matutupad n'yo na, mga nanay at tatay, ang pangarap ninyo para sa inyong mga anak. Mahirap mangupahan. Mahirap na walang kasiguruhan. Mahirap maging mahirap. Ngunit meron na kayong gobyerno sa Lungsod ng Maynila. Meron nang gobyernong ipaparamdam sa inyo ang tunay na pagmamahal sa mga mahihirap," the mayor added. (Today is the realization of your dream, beloved parents, the dream for your children. It is hard to rent, and equally difficult to be uncertain. It is also challenging to be poor. Nevertheless, you now have a city government. A government capable of exhibiting genuine love for the impoverished.)

Joining Domagoso and Lacuna-Pangan during inauguration and the awarding of units to its 229 beneficiaries were Assistant Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Cris Fernandez, City Engr. Armand Andres, City Electrician Engr. Randy Sadac, City Arch. Ely Balmoris, and Barangay 649 chair Diana Espinosa.

Basecommunity is one of the public housing projects initiated by the current local government administration, on top of Binondominium, and Tondominium 1 and 2.

Domagoso announced that three more residential buildings — Pedro Gil Residences, San Lazaro Residences, and San Sebastian Residences — are also expected to break ground soon.

"Ito na ang simula ng bagong pag-asa. Ang tunay na gobyerno ay gumagawa ng programa na tumutugon sa paulit-ulit na suliranin ng tao.  Ang housing law, isinapuso ko po iyon kasi gusto ko may batas para yung batas panghabangbuhay, tuloy-tuloy," Domagoso said. (This is the beginning of hope. A true government is one that finds ways to remedy prevailing issues. I have put in my heart the housing law so that the law will last for a lifetime, continuous.) 

"Ako ay naniniwala na ang pagtaas ng dignidad sa pagiging mahirap ay ang pagkakaroon ng sariling inyo, may sariling masisilungan kasama ang inyong mga anak. Baguhin natin sama-sama ang itsura ng Baseco!" he added. (I am a firm believer that in order to raise the dignity of the poor they must have something of their own, something to give them shelter with their children. Together, let us change the present negative image of Baseco.) (MPIO/PIA-NCR)