Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Friday called on city and municipal mayors nationwide to identify lands in their respective localities that could be used for socialized housing projects.

Robredo said identifying possible sites for housing projects had to start with conducting inventory of lands and pinpointing the actual number of project beneficiaries.

“This is to further implement the government’s housing program at the local level,” he said.

In a memorandum circular, Robredo said the lands to be covered by the inventory would include unregistered or abandoned lands, and residential and government lands, whether owned by the national government or any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities or agencies including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and their subsidiaries.

“Land inventory is mandated by RA 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, which requires city and municipal governments to conduct inventory of all lands within their respective localities,” he said.

Section 8 of RA 7279 states that “after the inventory of the local government units, the National Mapping Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and Land Management Bureau (LMB) shall identify lands for socialized housing and resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the underprivileged and homeless in the urban areas.”

The identification of lands for socialized housing shall be done in coordination with concerned agencies such as the National Housing Authority and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

Robredo also asked city and municipal mayors to direct their respective planning and development offices along with their designated zoning administrators to carry out the inventory of lands in their respective localities.

He said majority of cities and municipalities were yet to comply with the provision of the law.

“Local government Units [LGUs] shall take into consideration the degree of availability of basic services and facilities, their accessibility and proximity to job sites and other economic opportunities, and the actual number of registered beneficiaries.”

The results of the inventory shall be transmitted to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Robredo also directed DILG regional and field offices to assist LGUs in their areas in facilitating the submission of the required outputs and in monitoring compliance to the directive.

City and municipal mayors can submit their reports starting this month. ###