Quezon City rolls out special housing project for PWDs
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a housing project for the benefit of residents living with disabilities or people with disabilities (PWDs) in Barangay Escopa III.
The city government has already poured in P30 million for land development.
In her speech, Taguiwalo described the joint undertaking as a good example of public-private partnership as Gawad Kalinga has also been engaged for the development of the project, which will be known as Bistekville 18.
“What we have here at Escopa is a small paradise for persons with disabilities,” Taguiwalo said
Mayor Bautista urged the housing program beneficiaries to take good care of the houses that will be awarded to them. “Sana huwag naman ninyong ibenta ang mga titulo,” the Mayor said.
Bistekville 18, to be built on a portion of the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) in Barangay Escopa III, can yield about 130 two-storey walk-up housing units with floor area measuring 21 square meters.
An initial 36 housing units are now under construction.
According to Secretary to the Mayor Tadeo Palma, the 36 housing units are scheduled for turnover by the end of May.
As provided for under the partnership agreement, Quezon City has been tasked to oversee the land development, to include site clearing and construction of roads, drainages and retaining walls and rip-rap and in the development of open spaces.
The city has also been tasked to assist in the social preparation and in the selection of beneficiaries.
The DSWD, on the other hand, shall act as the lead agency in the selection of qualified beneficiaries and in the resolution and arbitration of disputes relative to beneficiary selection.
Meanwhile, Gawad Kalinga, represented during the occasion by GK-QC head Justine Cruz, shall oversee the provision of the housing component.
Aside from providing housing for PWDs, the city government also facilitated the relocation of non-PWD or able families from Barangay Escopa to the National Housing Authority (NHA)-designated resettlement site in Pandi, Bulacan.
Credits:
QC PAISO