Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Thursday led the relocation of 20 informal settler families (ISFs) living along Estero Tripa De Galina in Makati to the Southville 2 Phase 3 Housing Project in Trece Martires, Cavite.

            Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the 20 families represent the initial batch of the total 520 ISFs living along the Estero Tripa de Galina in Barangay Bangkal.

            “This is a continuation of the government’s relocation program for ISFs living along danger zones in Metro Manila. The Estero Tripa de Galina is included in the eight identified priority waterways that will be cleared by the National Housing Authority (NHA) of ISFs by the end of the year,” the housing czar said.

            Under President Benigno S. Aquino’s directive, the government launched in 2011 a five-year P50 billion housing program for ISFs living in danger areas in Metro Manila, particularly along waterways.

            The Vice President said the Southville 2 Phase 3 Housing Project is a 12-hectare resettlement site intended for ISFs living in waterways/danger areas and those who will be affected by the infrastructure projects of the government from the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Paranaque , and Pasay.

            “A total of 1,500 units will be constructed with an average lot size of 40 square meters and an average floor area of 22 square meters. We have constructed 950 units so far,” he said.

            “The house and lot costs P240,000 – P115,000 for the lot and P125,000 for the house,” he added.

            Binay said 323 ISFs have already been relocated to the site, with 20 coming from Mandaluyong, 20 from Pasay, 61 from Parañaque, and 222 from Makati.

            Aside from the houses, Binay revealed a 3-storey, 15-classroom building will also be constructed, along with a covered court and multi-purpose center, health and day care center, and a production center/ material recovery facility.

            He added that the site is also equipped with basic utilities including water supplied by the TMC Water District and power from Meralco.

            “The entire site is also equipped with an underground drainage system and the houses have individual septic tanks,” the Vice President further said.