Squatters

Urban poor

October 27, 2022 People's Tonight 464 views

PERHAPS, concerned government authorities should look deeper into the monstrous presence of squatters or “informal settlers” in various parts of this poverty-stricken nation.

Note that “informal settlers,” mostly from the impoverished countryside, live in dimly-lit shanties built near stinking dumpsites, esteros and other heavily-polluted waterways.

Squatters comprise the bulk of the so-called “urban poor,” who probably could have hacked out a better future for them and their families had they remained in their provinces.

But it is heartening to know that the government, through the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), is out to address the various concerns of the urban poor.

In fact, PCUP chairman and chief executive officer Undersecretary Elpidio Jordan Jr. has called for the participation of all stakeholders in this gigantic undertaking.

The stakeholders include local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, according to Jordan in a speech during PCUP’s first “LGU Forum” held in Quezon City.

Jordan urged the LGUs and the private sector to help PCUP in its mandate to protect the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged sectors of Philippine society.

He said poverty alleviation and the protection of the less fortunate against abuse and exploitation are among the primary advocacies of President Marcos’ administration.

At the same time, the PCUP top honcho presented the four banner programs that would support the anti-poverty advocacies of President Marcos.

Jordan said the programs are “Piso Ko, Buhay Mo,” “Lingkod Agapay Maralita (LAM),” “Urban Poor Data Generation,” and “Collaboration and Partnership Program.”

The leadership of the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor deserves the support of the public as it tries to do something more effective to help the country’s urban poor.

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