The Samahang Maralita Para sa Kaunlaran resettlement area in Barangay Malis that is proposed to be known as "Kaagapay Village" community. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan–The last batch of 2,000 homeless families and those living in flood prone and danger zone areas in the town were provided decent homes through the housing program of the municipal government and the National Housing Authority. 

Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz lead a turn over ceremony to heads of 36 beneficiary families from Samahang Maralita Para sa Kaunlaran (SMPK) on Thursday last week, the last batch from about 2,000 housing program beneficiaries during the term of her father former mayor now Fifth District Rep. Ambrosio Cruz Jr. 

The SMPK Homes is also located in Barangay Malis, where earlier resettlement sites NorthVille, Gawad Kalinga were put up. 

The municipal government of Guiguinto provides for the lot properties while the NHA shoulders the housing units. 

Guiguinto Mayor Agatha ‘Agay’ Cruz with a recipient of a housing unit from SMPK. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig

The mayor said the SMPK member-recipients of the latest housing program will pay their lot and housing unit respectively through P700-P1,000 monthly amortization within 7-10 years.

Vilma Gonzales, head of the Housing and Resettlement Office (HARO) of Guiguinto Municipal government said the housing units for the homeless residents are considered “gifts” because of the very convenient and easy term of payment. 

Coined after the nickname of the mayor (Agay), Gonzales said they plan to name the 11-hectare three housing projects in Malis–Northville, Gawad Kalinga and SMPK the “Kaagapay Village”. 

As Guiguinto continue to progressed over the years, there are still about 5,000 informal settlers homeless and living in danger zones and low lying areas for over over 15 years now who are target of their next housing projects also in “Kaagapay Village”. 

The mayor told NEWS CORE that they are also assisting residents who are employed and have businesses but who do not have their own houses to acquire housing loans.

“This project of my father former mayor now Congressman Boy Cruz is one of the basic needs of our people and this also remains as our priority today and until we have provided homes to all those we tag and put in our list,” she said.