Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday underscored the importance of prioritizing socialized and affordable housing amid the expansion of the country’s railway system.
Hontiveros urged that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) socialized and affordable housing programs be given priority over private property developers when allocating the lots surrounding train stations.
“We need to give space to DHSUD cheap housing for our people who cannot afford to pay the cost of high-rise condominiums,” the opposition senator said.
She said the problem on transportation do not only involve railways projects. “This is also an opportunity to build affordable housing and a bridge between farmers and market in the city,” said Hontiveros as she cited the importance of value chain.
The senator made her observations following the ceremonial signing of P50-B contract packages for North-South Commuter Railways (NSCR). The 14.9 kilometers of elevated railways and viaducts will be constructed in Blumentritt, Buendia, EDSA, Senate, Bicutan, and Sucat. Some of these stations will be interconnected with the Metro Manila Subway Station.
Hontiveros stated that the administration should take advantage of the transportation project to broaden the market access of farmers in rural areas, thereby increasing the demand for agricultural products and possibly leading to higher prices for farmers.
“Railways can connect remote and rural agricultural areas with urban centers and export markets,” she said.
Trains are already connected from Clark in Pampanga to Calamba City in Laguna, and in the long haul project until Bicol. The government, she said, should take this opportunity to hasten the deliveries of products to the markets in the city.
“No need for middlemen to double the prices of goods which they were buying at very low prices from our farmers,” she said.
“As Agriculture Secretary, I hope the President will there because he has been repeatedly talking about value chain for small fishermen and farmers which can be proven if with what be built around the train.
The Senator also vowed to support equitable transit-oriented development by the Department of Transportation and the DHSUD in the upcoming budget hearings in the Senate.
She said this will help 10,000 families affected by the construction of the railways 50 stations from Clark to Matnog, Sorsogon,” she said.