A Quezon City (QC) councilor yesterday proposed an ordinance in which the city government can provide jobs to housing beneficiaries and deduct part of their salaries for settling their amortizations.
In proposed Ordinance PO212-132, 1st District Councilor Alexis Herrera said the move ensures that the ownership of home lots are transferred to owners in due time.
Called “Work for Equity Ordinance,’’ the proposal promotes employment and economic usefulness while helping the urban poor beneficiaries develop a sense of responsibility.
Herrera noted that in the past, beneficiaries of the city’s socialized housing program like the “Bistekville Housing Projects’’ were forced to mortgage, sell or worst, dispose their home lots due to inability to pay the amortization.
Herrera said that his proposal is meant to promote a sustainable and innovative housing and land acquisition program for the urban poor in the long term while building on its strength through economic empowerment.
Work or services available under the program include the construction of infrastructure projects, maintenance of existing facilities, cleaning and beautification of public facilities, garbage collection and disposal and frontline services as implemented by QC Mayor Herbert Bautista.
In crediting the earned wages under the program, Herrera said that work for equity infrastructure projects may be implemented by the administration or through contracts.

Source: Manila Bulletin- February 4, 2013