In a bid to provide shelter to the underprivileged, the Quezon City government enacted an ordinance declaring parcels of land occupied by squatter families in various locations in the city as socialized housing areas.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. signed Ordinance No. SP 1931 S-2009 tranforming nine parcels of land in barangays Bagong Silangan, Kaligayahan, Fairview, Santa Lucia and Baesa as socialized housing sections where informal settlers can gain ownership of the lots they’re occupying.

Through the socialized housing program, the city government enforces the deal on the properties to qualified beneficiaries through direct sale, facilitating their ownership of the residential lots.

Earlier, Councilor Jimmy Borres of the third district of Quezon City urged Quezon City residents including the informal settlers to submit themselves to census and surveys conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies.

He said the minimal inconvenience may pave the way for bigger things, adding that government authorities are conducting the operation with the purpose of providing benefits or better living conditions to the public.

“Sana maintindihan na ng mga tao na ang konting sakripisyo ay masusuklian naman ng ganap at malawakang serbisyo mula sa ating pamahalaan local man o national,’’ Borres said.

Since the nine parcels of land will be developed into communities, Belmonte said their transformation to socialized housing zones will trigger economic development, paving the way for the granting of added benefits and exemptions accorded by the LGUs and national government to the beneficiaries.