Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday said around 8,000 informal settler families (ISFs) living in danger zones will have new and safer homes this year through the high density housing (HDH) program.

            “Sa loob ng taon na ito, halos walong libo at isang daang pamilya ang inaasahan nating matutulungan ng programang ito,” the Vice President said during the ocular inspection of the Doña Imelda HDH project in Quezon City.

            The HDH, an initiative led by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) with the support of the World Bank, is an in-city or near site relocation or a land sharing arrangement that seeks to provide multi-storey buildings for ISFs.

            The HDH adopts a community-driven approach, which guarantees that ISFs are involved in the planning and implementation of their housing and shelter facilities.

            “This approach provides security of housing tenure to the informal settler families and at the same time, ensure that their livelihood will not be affected once they transfer to their new, decent and safe homes,” Binay said.

            “Sa programang ito, hindi kayo mapapalayo sa inyong mga kabuhayan o trabaho dahil “in-city,” “near-city” o di kaya “near-site” ang pagtatayuan ng mga gusaling ito na may taas hanggang limang palapag,” he added.

            Under the HDH, the SHFC will provide loan assistance to organized communities of ISFs living in danger areas in Metro Manila to finance land acquisition and construction of homes.

            The Corporation offers up to P400,000 loan with an interest of 4.5 percent per annum for a maximum of 30 years. Borrowers may also apply for a graduated amortization scheme.

            The adopted scheme allows beneficiaries to pay lower monthly amortizations on the first year with a gradual annual increase of 10 percent up to 10 years. The succeeding monthly amortization after the 11th year is fixed.

            “Pinag-aralan po ang kakayahan ng mga benepisyaryo na magbayad sa buwanang amortisasyon, para ang payment terms na ipatutupad ay makayanan ninyo,” Binay said.

            However, he also stressed the need for the beneficiaries to pay their monthly dues so the government may be able to build more houses for the poor.

            “Kaakibat ng tulong na ito ay ang responsibilidad ng mga pamilya at komunidad na tumupad sa kanilang mga obligasyon bilang mga benepisyaryo. Sana po ay maging halimbawa kayo sa iba sa pakikiisa sa programa at sa pagbabayad ng pautang,” he said.

            “Marami pa po tayong mga kababayan na kailangang tulungan na magkaroon ng disente at ligtas na kabahayan. Tayong lahat ay may tungkulin upang maabot ang ating hangaring mapaganda ang buhay sa pamamagitan ng pabahay,” he added.

            Binay is the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.