Marcos vows to pursue urban land reform, decent housing for urban-poor sector

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. vowed to pursue urban land reform program and improve its implementation to achieve its original intent of improving the lot of the urban poor.

In a press briefing after going around various barangays in Caloocan City, Marcos lamented that the government has dropped the ball when it comes to implementation of urban land reform.

Among the areas Marcos visited include Barangay 176 in Bagong Silang, which is a government-resettlement site. It is considered the biggest barangay in the Philippines in terms of land area and population.

“We will strive to pursue real urban land reform program. Apparently, our current leaders are clueless on how this should be done properly,” said Marcos.

He noted that, unlike the relocation project in Bagong Silang, many of the current relocation site for poor urban dwellers comprise simply of a bare house and lot.

“If you recall the government agency originally tasked to implement urban land reform was the Ministry of Human Settlements—that’s how the agency is called because they strive to establish local communities,” said Marcos.

He added that under the urban land reform in the past, the relocation of urban dwellers meant not just a house and lot but also included basic necessities such as water and electricity, as well as available jobs and important facilities, such as a market, a church and a school.

“I hope to return to the concept that relocation is not simply about a house, but that it includes the basic necessities to live decently,” Marcos said.

He added that the concept of urban land reform is a good idea that remains relevant in addressing the housing problem with respect to the urban poor.