Mayor Honey Lacuna has ordered a change in the housing policy in Manila wherein finally, the awardees will now be able to own their units in a rent-to-own system, unlike before when one will have to pay forever.
In her message at the inauguration of the Pedro Gil Residences, Lacuna announced that she had already asked the Manila City Council headed by Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Manila Urban Settlements Office (MUSO) head Atty. Danny de Guzman to create the new system in the city’s housing units.
Under the administration of former mayor Isko Moreno, the awardees were mere ‘assignees’ who will have to endlessly pay monthly fees without the possibility of owning the unit they occupy in the end.
The city’s first ever rent-to-own, public low-cost condos have as beneficiaries city employees who were chosen in a public raffle. It was learned that they will be paying anywhere from P2,000 to P3,000 only per month and that after a designated number of years and fully paying the amount of the unit, they will be awarded the title for the said condo unit.
“Kung dati ay habang buhay kayong magbabayad ng renta, simula ngayon, ang inyong buwan-buwang hinuhulugan, hindi na po pawang renta lang habang buhay. Ito po ay magiging pabahay na rent to own,” the mayor said.
City Engineer Moises Alcantara said the 20-storey condo building houses 299 residential units, 143 parking slots, five commercial spaces, five elevator units, a swimming pool, fitness room, function room, roof deck and both indoor and outdoor activity areas.
Simultaneously, a super health center was also opened in the said building with Congressman Irwin Tieng vowing to help in terms of medical equipment needed.
Lacuna thanked Tieng for his all-out support and said that nothing is impossible if the national government and local government will work hand in hand.
The said public health center which will be under the supervision of Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan and Dr. Rosanna Milan, comes complete with free services like laboratory, ECG, ultrasound and portable x-ray, among others. There are also rooms for dental care and minor surgeries.
“Bilang isang doktor, prayoridad natin ang pangangalaga sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Ninais nating ayusin, palakasin at pag-ibayuhin ang mga serbisyo ng ating mga health centers, kabilang na nga itong Pedro Gil Health Center. Mas marami na itong serbisyong maibibigay sa atin tulad ng basic laboratory services, ecg at ultrasound sa mga buntis. Dito na makukuha ang maintenance medicines ng mga lolo at lola natin,” Lacuna said.
She added:”Maibibigay ng Pedro Gil Health Center ang epektibo at episyenteng pagpapatupad ng universal health care. Tiniyak din natin na mayroon itong License to Operate at ang disenyo ay naaayon sa pamantayan ng Department of Health para sa primary health care provider facility.”
