President Benigno S. Aquino III, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary  (DSWD) Corazon Juliano-Soliman, and Department of the Interior and Local Government  (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas inaugurated yesterday the model of the first urban on-site micro-medium rise building (MRB) in Estero de San Miguel, Manila, as part of the administration’s commitment to provide decent and affordable housing in the city for the poor.

The Estero de San Miguel Micro-MRB Model Unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014.

In his message, Pres. Aquino recognized the convergence of efforts of various sectors to achieve his administration’s goal of inclusive growth and development.

“Andito po tayo ngayon at nagtitipon upang saksihan ang positibong bunga ng ating pag-aambagan” (We are here today to witness the fruits of our convergence),” Pres. Aquino remarked.

The Estero project is a multi-agency initiative led by DILG, with DSWD as the implementing agency and support from Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government of Manila, Urban Poor Associates, Nagkakaisang Mamayan ng Legarda, Architect Albert Zambrano of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) and other people’s organizations.

Unconventional medium rise buildings

The Project will have six MRBs on proclaimed land that could accommodate 16 informal settler families (ISF). The additional proposed 13 typical model MRBs on private land is for 26 more families. Other lot areas within the vicinity are being negotiated for resettlement of more ISFs.

Conventional MRBs cannot fit into the narrow available lot outside the three-meter easement along the estero (inlet waterway). An innovative micro-MRB is the building typology appropriate for the site.

Micro-MRBs maximize the use of urban land, easier to construct thereby allowing small contractors to participate in the project, unlike conventional MRBs where only big contractors benefit.

They are also easier to maintain, healthier, safer, more resistant to floods, more resistant to earthquakes and allows the dwellers to engage in income generating activities that would help lift them out of poverty.

Right to live in dignity

The President added that the project is a proof that this administration recognizes the right of every citizen to live in dignity.

“Ngayon, ang tutok natin ay mas ligtas na tahanan para sa mga residente, malinis at malawak na daluyan ng tubig, at pangmatagalang solusyon sa malawakang pagbaha sa Kamaynilaan (Our efforts are focused on providing residents with safe homes, clean waterways, and a long-term solution against flooding),” he said.

Pres. Aquino said that under “Oplan Likas” (Lipat Para Iwas Kalamidad at Sakit), the government has initially allocated P10 billion for the relocation of informal settler families in danger zones in Metro Manila.

To date, more than 3,400 families have been successfully relocated to safer communities.

Filomena Cinco, President of Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda and one of the beneficiaries said, “Natutuwa kami at pagkalipas ng dalawampung taon dito sa estero ay mayroon na kaming sariling bahay na matatawag at ito ay nasa ligtas na lugar (We are happy that after 20 years of living along the waterways, we now have a house of our own that is built in a safe place).”

“Eto ay katuparan ng aming pangarap (This is a dream come true for us),” Cinco ended. ###