The World Bank is eyeing a $250-million loan to bankroll the relocation of informal settlers in Metro Manila and the construction of flood-control infrastructure. The World Bank loan will augment the government’s P50-billion Oplan Likas, the national resettlement program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Motoo Konishi, World Bank country director for the Philippines, clarified that, while the amount was not yet approved, it is intended to finance the first phase of a master plan for a flood-control project in Metro Manila.
The first phase entails the installation of pumping stations around Metro Manila to regulate water flow in times of flooding, as well as the relocation of informal settler families (ISFs). The master plan will be presented to the National Economic and Development Authority for approval upon completion, Konishi added.
This plan is in collaboration with the DILG and will augment the agency’s efforts in its Oplan Likas national resettlement program.
The World Bank’s effort is pivotal as ISFs around Metro Manila alone are estimated at 600,000, or about 3 million people, according to the National Housing Authority. Nationwide, the estimate is around 1.5 million ISFs.
Apart from the flood-management project, the World Bank has been providing technical assistance on issues related to land, housing finance, and institutions over the last five years.
The international lender is also giving assistance to the National Summit on Housing and Urban Development, led by the committee chairs of both houses of Congress.