President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the capsule-laying ceremony for the fourth “Disiplina Village” in Barangay Arkong Bato, Valenzuela City on Monday, March 27, 2023. He is joined by Mayor Wes Gatchalian and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Joeben A. Tai, as Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar looks on. (Photos courtesy: Valenzuela City Public Information Office)
MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said his adminisrtration is keen on studying how to identify and utilize public land for future housing projects, in compliance with the applicable rules and laws.
“Patuloy nating pinag-aaralan kung paano isasagawa ang pagtukoy at paggamit sa mga bakanteng lupa ng gobyerno na maaaring tayuan ng mga pabahay, ayon sa ating mga batas at alituntunin,” he said.
(Translation: We continue to study how to identify and use vacant government land that can be built for housing, according to our laws and regulations.)
Pres. Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the fourth “Disiplina Village” in Barangay Arkong Bato, Valenzuela City, a housing resettlement project that aims to provide 1,200 units to informal settlers living along the Tullahan River and Manila Bay. He is joined by Mayor Wes Gatchalian, Senators Win Gatchalian and JV Ejercito, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Joeben A. Tai, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The upcoming Arkong Bato Disiplina Village, a project of the Valenzuela City Government in partnership with key shelter agencies and other stakeholders, will be constructed close to schools, clinics, and other essential facilities. It will span 20,709 square meters and consist of 20 five-story, medium-rise buildings with 1,200 housing units.
During his speech, Pres. Marcos urged the local government to provide ample opportunities for residents to earn a livelihood.
“Tiyakin natin na ang mga maninirahan dito ay magkakaroon ng sapat na oportunidad upang makapag-hanapbuhay at magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan gamit ang kanilang mga talento at kasanayan,” the President said.
(Translation: Let's make sure that the people who live here will have enough opportunities to earn a living using their talents and skills.)
Mayor Gatchalian, for his part, encouraged project beneficiaries to maintain peace and order in what would be their new community in the immediate future.
“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,” he said.
(Translation: 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.)
“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,” he added.
(Translation: 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.)
Pres. Marcos, meanwhile, also urged the Valenzuela City Government to collaborate with other government agencies and the private sector to guarantee the completion of the project and ensure the quality of the buildings. (PIA-NCR)
