Robredo said she agrees with Duterte's policy that demolition of informal settlements can only be carried out once a relocation site has been provided.
"Masaya ako kasi klaro rin na na-lay down niya yung kaniyang paniniwala na ano to nagjajibe rin sa ating paniniwala. Unang una, walang demolisyon kung walang relokasyon at walang relokasyon kung hindi maayos yung facilities sa relokasyon," Robredo told reporters on Tuesday morning.
"Ito yung pinaka binigyan rin natin ng diin mula nung nag umpisa tayo sa consultation sa lahat ng stakeholders sa HUDCC [Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council]. Mahalaga na nanggaling mismo sa bibig ng ating pangulo at sinabi niya sa SONA kasi ito talaga yung policy direction sa housing."
Robredo said that as head of the HUDCC, she wants to give emphasis on relocating informal settlers in the city if possible, or at least near their places of livelihood.
"Marami na akong relocation sites na binisita sa labas ng Metro Manila na galing sa Metro Manila 'yung mga inilikas doon. Parang hindi naman niya nabigyan ng permanenteng solusyon 'yung housing kasi ang nangyayari, kukuha siya ng bahay sa labas, pero babalik pa rin - at least 'yung head of the family - kung saan siya nandoon, magbo-board and lodging siya," Robredo explained.
Robredo added, there is also a social cost to this as families are split apart.
"Kasi mabuti kung 'yung pagre-relocate-an natin merong available na ibang trabaho, may livelihood. Karamihan wala naman. At least 'yung mga nabisita ko, wala. So talagang dumadagdag lang nang dumadagdag 'yung housing na problema."
Robredo said, the big challenge is the lack of available land inside the city for the relocation of informal settlers. She said the government has the option to provide mid- to high-rise housing structures, but noted that the investment cannot be too expensive, as the families would not be able to afford it.
"Kapag masyadong mahal, 'yung lupa hindi nila kaya. 'Pag tumaas na 'yung height sa 5 floors, kailangan na ng elevator, kapag may elevator, dadagdag na naman 'yung cost," she explained.
The Vice President said that they are currently studying which existing models will be best to replicate in order to solve the housing problem, adding that participation of the private sector is key.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
