As argued, no man can be a squatter in his own land. This is absolutely a valid argument, but it's not happening as a fact. The truth remains that many families are languishing in substandard or impoverished conditions, do not enjoy the security of having their own houses, being driven away from the property where their elders have settled which only time can remember, or whose lands have been grabbed from them.
It is not even surprising to know that those who have work or small businesses are also dreaming of owning houses or at the least, dwelling units, which could be an apartment, a townhouse or a condominium.
The spaces have become scarce in the metropolis, or if there be any, they are not affordable. Further, even if there be any and which are affordable, there are nonetheless not enough for all. Development cannot just be pursued indiscriminately without taking into account the need to preserve areas for agricultural spaces for crops and livestocks. The highlands have already been denuded and abused, and the adverse effects created havoc to wide areas. The destruction caused in areas like Infanta and Real, Ormoc, Cagayan de Oro, and New Bataan, among others, will never be forgotten.
The result - more housing backlog. This is a serious concern because the country is confronted with an increasing demand for shelter and not having enough would mean a homeless segment of the society will also increase. Social problems will naturally increase and that would require an increase in government spending for these concerns.
What must be done?
In the beginning, man was given dominion over the earth, it was inherent therefore that as a human being, he has the right to live. Such right is to be respected and supported by each other. No man is an island. Each one has a moral obligation to care for others. This could be done by paying taxes so that government will have more to spend for infrastructures and shelters, join and actively participate in projects pursued by Gawad Kalinga or Habitat for Humanity, among others, lobby for more housing projects, help in the eradication of corruption, and support such other programs that would alleviate the conditions of others particularly the homeless.
On the part of property owners and developers, while this country may be a free economy thriving in a free enterprise where every person has the right to be successful and get rich, it does not give anyone the license to be greedy. It is important to be mindful and be immersed in carrying out one's social responsibility. The bottomline is that it's definitely acceptable for the price to be right but it must also be reasonable and not restrictive.
And of course, on the part of the government, policies and rules must further be eased up, equalized and rationalized. The immediate creation of a primary-line agency such as a Department of Housing should be supported. Realistic and responsive programs must be initiated and implemented.
Zero-corruption and Zero-backlog should be an individual advocacy and a collective commitment.
Three years ago, it has been said that the country has 1.7 million housing backlog. Now it's 3 million.
Do not blame the government. It is presumed to be doing it's job. The constant and uncontrollable exodus of people to the metropolis in search for greener pastures, and an ever increasing population as a result of the increasing number of families have largely distributed to this backlog.
It is time then to really and genuinely move and act. Write letters to your political leaders, initiate movements and projects, effect change in our society but let that change begin in you, in each one of us. Be fair, be honest and do not succumb to corruption.
So be it.
It is not even surprising to know that those who have work or small businesses are also dreaming of owning houses or at the least, dwelling units, which could be an apartment, a townhouse or a condominium.
The spaces have become scarce in the metropolis, or if there be any, they are not affordable. Further, even if there be any and which are affordable, there are nonetheless not enough for all. Development cannot just be pursued indiscriminately without taking into account the need to preserve areas for agricultural spaces for crops and livestocks. The highlands have already been denuded and abused, and the adverse effects created havoc to wide areas. The destruction caused in areas like Infanta and Real, Ormoc, Cagayan de Oro, and New Bataan, among others, will never be forgotten.
The result - more housing backlog. This is a serious concern because the country is confronted with an increasing demand for shelter and not having enough would mean a homeless segment of the society will also increase. Social problems will naturally increase and that would require an increase in government spending for these concerns.
What must be done?
In the beginning, man was given dominion over the earth, it was inherent therefore that as a human being, he has the right to live. Such right is to be respected and supported by each other. No man is an island. Each one has a moral obligation to care for others. This could be done by paying taxes so that government will have more to spend for infrastructures and shelters, join and actively participate in projects pursued by Gawad Kalinga or Habitat for Humanity, among others, lobby for more housing projects, help in the eradication of corruption, and support such other programs that would alleviate the conditions of others particularly the homeless.
On the part of property owners and developers, while this country may be a free economy thriving in a free enterprise where every person has the right to be successful and get rich, it does not give anyone the license to be greedy. It is important to be mindful and be immersed in carrying out one's social responsibility. The bottomline is that it's definitely acceptable for the price to be right but it must also be reasonable and not restrictive.
And of course, on the part of the government, policies and rules must further be eased up, equalized and rationalized. The immediate creation of a primary-line agency such as a Department of Housing should be supported. Realistic and responsive programs must be initiated and implemented.
Zero-corruption and Zero-backlog should be an individual advocacy and a collective commitment.
Three years ago, it has been said that the country has 1.7 million housing backlog. Now it's 3 million.
Do not blame the government. It is presumed to be doing it's job. The constant and uncontrollable exodus of people to the metropolis in search for greener pastures, and an ever increasing population as a result of the increasing number of families have largely distributed to this backlog.
It is time then to really and genuinely move and act. Write letters to your political leaders, initiate movements and projects, effect change in our society but let that change begin in you, in each one of us. Be fair, be honest and do not succumb to corruption.
So be it.
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