LACK of meaningful consultations with affected communities remains among the leading factors behind the challenges faced by families relocated under socialized housing programs, according to a recent report.
A study by the Philippine Resource Center for Inclusive Development (Inklusibo) urged government shelter agencies and private developers to have closer coordination with civil society organizations and local stakeholders to strengthen accountability and improve outcomes for low-income families.
They highlighted the need to pair housing assistance with broader social protection measures, including fair income verification systems, affordability safeguards and integration with livelihood, education and employment programs.
‘Without sustained assistance, these families risk falling into a cycle of displacement and deeper poverty,’ Inklusibo said. ‘With the right intervention and a genuinely participatory approach that centers on the poor.’
The organization cited in-city, high-rise, and mixed-income housing models-such as the Tondominium project-as suitable for densely populated urban areas where land is scarce.
These designs, it said, allow families to remain close to their jobs and essential services while incorporating disaster-resilient features and maintenance systems.
According to the report, larger units are also more responsive to the needs of low-income families, which often have more members.
‘As low-income families tend to be large, its 44-square-meter units are better suited to their needs than Vitas Katuparan’s 28-square-meter units,’ the group noted.
Mixed-income occupancy was likewise found to foster stronger support networks and expand economic opportunities for residents, though Inklusibo underscored that displaced and low-income families must remain the priority beneficiaries.
The group further gathered other recommendations from stakeholders, including mandatory initial inspections before turnover to address structural issues early and the creation of public spaces to promote social interaction.
Relocating entire communities together, allowing families to live near one another, and providing responsive administrative support were also cited as key measures for ensuring smoother adjustment.
Resident views
SOME residents welcomed high-rise housing for accommodating more families, but many still preferred low-rise structures, citing earthquake safety and limited building lifespan.
About 45 percent of respondents said they supported the relocation, noting better safety, privacy, and sanitation. They also credited larger units, solid partitions, and security features such as guards and CCTVs for improved living conditions.
Cleaner surroundings and on-site administrators also helped deter trespassing, theft, and other crimes.
Participants reported better health outcomes, attributing these to improved ventilation and sanitation. Some also hoped that similar relocation opportunities would be extended to families still living in condemned Vitas Katuparan buildings.
Meanwhile, 35 percent opposed the move and 20 percent were undecided, pointing to gaps in post-relocation aid, strict building rules, inadequate closed-circuit television monitors (CCTV), unsafe playgrounds, and perceived earthquake risks. Others raised maintenance issues, including unit defects and persistent leaks.
‘Water leaks from ceiling cracks caused by earthquakes are a prominent concern among those on higher floors. Some residents, commonly in corner units regardless of floor level, also experience water leaks from windows during strong rainstorms,’ the report said.
Cracks on the roof deck were also reported but remain unaddressed despite a city ordinance mandating priority repairs in common areas.
Affordability, however, emerged as the most pressing concern. ‘Four households were already evicted, and over half face eviction threats,’ the report said.
Monthly rent is P2,000 for households earning below P13,000, and P3,000 for those earning more.
Launched in February 2022, Tondominium is among the Manila City government’s high-rise housing projects under Ordinance 8730, which allows vertical developments on government-owned land for informal settler families.
The P1-billion project, built through the Manila Urban Settlements Office (MUSO), consists of two 15-storey towers with 336 units for former residents of Vitas Katuparan, one of several condemned structures identified by the National Housing Authority in 2020.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling earlier said the government is recalibrating its socialized housing strategy to include horizontal or subdivision-style projects. His predecessor, Jose Rizalino Acuzar, had pushed vertical housing to maximize land use but acknowledged its higher planning and construction demands.