Baguio City Identifies Five New Sites for Socialized Housing

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government is eyeing five new sites for socialized housing as it moves to give more qualified beneficiaries a chance to secure decent homes and curb the city’s growing informal-settler problem. Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said the sites identified for housing development include Irisan Pansa-Nopen Village, Asin Housing Village, the Government Service Insurance System property near the Baguio Convention Center, the Philippine National Railways property in Marcoville, and the Department of Information and Communications compound in Quezon Hill. Mr. Magalong said Baguio City remains committed to completing socialized housing projects, with the new sites expected to expand opportunities for qualified beneficiaries in various parts of Baguio. Baguio City is also continuing work on Luna Terraces in Barangay Irisan, one of its priority housing projects intended to provide decent homes for qualified beneficiaries from different barangays and help reduce the proliferation of informal settlers. However, the Luna Terraces project remains unfinished as the city government and its partner national government agencies and housing institutions work to resolve funding and other implementation issues. The city government is coordinating with affected residents, developers, and housing agencies to meet the requirements for the project. Mr. Magalong said the city will continue identifying suitable areas and forge partnerships with national agencies and housing institutions, particularly in determining which applicants qualify for the socialized housing program. The goal, he said, is to turn more government-owned and suitable properties into actual homes for Baguio families who need them most. — Artemio A. Dumlao