An Evaluation Of The Resettlement Program In The Philippines: The Case Of Towerville Resettlement Project A Country Report On New Town Development And Urban Renewal

NHA’s Corporate Mission “Provide affordable and adequate housing for homeless low-income families, and afford them access to social services and economic development to propel development of self-reliant communities.” To develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated housing program (PD 757) The sole national government agency to engage in shelter production for the lowest 30% of the urban population (EO 90)

To provide technical and other forms of assistance to local government units (LGU’s) (RA 7279) Tasked with the implementation of the Resettlement Program, Medium Rise Public and Private Housing Program, Cost Recoverable Programs and the Local Housing Program (RA 7835) To focus on socialized housing: comprehensive and integrated housing development and resettlement, fast tracking the determination and development of government lands for housing and ensuring the sustainability of socialized housing funds by improving collection efficiency, among others. (EO 195)

Resettlement Program Involves the acquisition of large tracts of land for site development to generate serviced lots for families displaced from sites earmarked for government infrastructure projects and those occupying danger areas, such as waterways, esteros, road R.O.W.’s and railroad tracks. Also the program aimed at providing a solution to the problem of informal settlers

PROGRAMS FOR URBAN RENEWAL Slum upgrading Medium Rise Housing Sites and Services Housing Community Based Housing PROGRAMS FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT Sites and Services Program Resettlement Program

The Philippine Housing Situation– A Background Average annual population growth rate of 5.14% between 1960 and % of the population (7.5 million households) live in urban areas 3.5 million households are at or below the 5 th income decile (PhP 28,800 per capita per year) Only 50,000 housing units are supplied by the private sector per year Government-led shelter programs have provided about 120,000 housing units per year

Environmental Conditions Poor quality housing Overcrowding Inadequate access to basic services Insecure land tenure Increased Risks to public health

Flagship Projects of the Government KAMANAVA Flood Control and Drainage Improvement Project North Luzon Railway System (Northrail) Project

KAMANAVA Flood Control and Drainage Improvement Project Proposed as a viable solution to flooding and environmentally-related problems, particularly in the areas of Kalookan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela Necessitates the clearing of the rights-of-way of estuaries and waterways affected by the project, which is inhabited by informal settlers

Northrail Project Mandated to plan, construct, develop, manage and operate a mass transit system between Metro Manila and Northern/Central Luzon Necessitates the removal of an estimated 17,353 families residing along the tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and its properties located between Kalookan in Metro Manila and Calumpit, Bulacan

Towerville Resettlement Project – Development Features generated some 5,140 lots to date additional 1,000 lots currently being developed home lots have a modal size of 50 square meters, categorized into economic and social lots serviced lots have provisions for water and power supply, drainage and sewerage system provided with open spaces as sites for institutional and recreational facilities Commercial lots are available for disposition and development

Strengths NHA’s mandate for housing production Government support on the two flagship programs NHA’s existing organization set-up and enabling laws NHA land assembly; potential for expansion of site; availability of serviced home lots

Weaknesses lack of manpower and logistical support for the resettlement project budgetary constraints community distrust and unacceptability of the resettlement program as a housing option fast tracking of project resulting to “shortcuts” in community consultation, information and participation lack of an integrated and coordinated timetable of concerned government agencies in the provision of basic utilities upon relocation difficulties encountered in cost recovery

Opportunities mobilization of other agencies’ support for the resettlement (NAPC, TLRC, TESDA, PCUP, etc.) participation of private sector as development partner strong support from local and barangay officials presence and support of NGO’s, religious organizations in the provision of housing, livelihood and community facilities and services presence and support of people’s organizations (PO’s) who support NHA and act as conduit for accurate information / community participation access to foreign funding assistance

Threats presence of militant groups preying on new relocatees distrust for government programs illegal entrants, professional squatters

Recommendations Multi-Sectoral / Participative Approach to Resettlement Integrated Operational Framework for the Implementation and Management of the Relocation Process Operations Manual for Resettlement