MARKING the 152nd birth anniversary of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the local government unit (LGU) of Valenzuela broke the ground and held a capsule laying ceremony for its new Disiplina Village in Barangay Arkong Bato.

The 20 three-story low-rise buildings will have a total of 720 housing units with an individual unit floor area of 16 sq m and a loftable space of 11 sq m.

The soon-to-rise Disiplina Village Arkong Bato (DVA) is in line with the city's goal to relocate the remaining Informal Settler Families (ISFs) from dangerous areas beyond three to five easements of waterways, and ISFs living along and underneath the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines's transmission lines.

The city wants the newly relocated families to live in a safe and sustainable community with adequate facilities.

With the motto, "Bagong Bahay, Bagong Buhay," beneficiaries are empowered to rebuild their lives and can become more productive members of their community.

In his speech during the launching events last July 12, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario lauded the city government for keeping ISFs out of danger and building a model housing project that is a pioneer of its kind in the country.

He cited that Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian started the city's rental housing program, and that is the direction of the DHSUD, especially in urban areas that are mostly crowded.

"Sixty-five percent of residents will be residing in urban communities by 2050, so there is no way but to go up in our residential units," he noted.

The local chief executive praised del Rosario and called him the "Ninong ng mga Disiplina Villages" (Godfather of Disiplina Villages) for being present from the start of building Valenzuela's very first up to the upcoming residential project.

Mayor Gatchalian also stressed in his speech that the city's past meets the future in this initiative.

The DVA is supported by the National Housing Authority, the Department of Budget and Management, and the DHSUD.

This is the fourth in-city resettlement site in Valenzuela after Disiplina Village Ugong, Disiplina Village Bignay, and Disiplina Village Lingunan.

The LGU will continue to empower its people and build model communities and character villages, living out its promise of a livable city for every Valenzuelano.

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