Hope rises in Paglaum groundbreaking

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ROXAS City, Capiz – Hope overflowed for the urban informal settlers of Barangays 5 and 7 here City during the groundbreaking ceremonies for Roxas City Paglaum Rise last September 30, 2022.

Paglaum Rise is a project meant to provide decent and dignified housing units to the informal settlers of these urban barangays.

The project is a keystone project of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD) headed by Secretary Rizalino Jesus “Jerry” Acuzar, Usec. Jose Ramon Aliling, and Usec. Avelino Tolentino III in partnership with private landowners, the Viterbo and Hernandez families, represented by Atty. Dan Delfin, who are in the process of donating their property lots for the project.

According to Secretary Acuzar, this project is a sincere extension of assistance by the DSHUD to the administration of Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and for his vision to raise the standard of living of his constituents.

Acuzar added that their main motivation for approving this project is their trust in the administration of Mayor Dadivas.

The project will feature nine mid-vertical-rise buildings, onsite, in the location where the urban informal setters currently reside.

Upon completion, Paglaum Rise will provide condo-type housing units to the beneficiaries. A unique feature of the project is that aside from seeking to give the beneficiaries a dignified living space, it will also provide open park spaces that they can use for activities.

According to Sec. Acuzar, Usecs. Aliling and Tolentino, one innovative component of the project is the retention of the urban informal settlers in their current location where their livelihood is located.

In his message to the people of Roxas City, Acuzar mentioned that, “the beneficiaries are very lucky to have an active mayor who constantly follows up the project and private landowners who are willing to offer their property for the project…that the landowners are better than some large private companies who cannot even set aside some of their assets to help the less fortunate.”

The enthusiasm of the DSHUD officials is shared by City Mayor Dadivas and the private donors of the lots for the materialization of this project.

“Matabo na gid man ang amon nga dugay na gid nga handum kag ginalauman. Salamat gid sa pag-panikasog nanday Sec. Acuzar kag iya mga kaupod, sa amon pinalangga nga Mayor Ronnie, sa nga pamilyta nga maga-donar sang ila nga duta para sa amon nga puluy-an, kag labi na gid kay Presidente Bongbong para sa iya nga programa nga Zero ISF 2028, wala gid niya kami pagpabay-an, (We will finally see the realization of our dreams and hopes, thanks to Sec. Acuzar and his colleagues, our beloved Mayor Ronnie, to the families who will be donating their lots for our homes, and most importantly to President Bongbong for his Zero ISF 2028 program. They did not leave us alone)” expressed one of the beneficiaries of the program.

Sec. Azucar and Mayor Dadivas assured the beneficiaries that their hopes will materialize with the completion of Paglaum Rise, expectedly, in two years’ time.

The DSHUD officials have shown extreme dedication and sincerity in their goal of providing expedited results to the people through this keystone program of government.

Also present during the groundbreaking ceremonies, Secretary Rizalino Jesus “Jerry” Acuzar, Usec. Avelino Tolentino III, Usec. Garry V. De Guzman, Asec. Sharon Faith S. Paquiz, CEO Marilene C. Acosta, OIC-DCEO of the Home Lending Operations Cluster, Benjamin R. Felix, the private land donors, and the city council led by Vice Mayor Teresa Almalbis and City Mayor Dadivas.