Transportation and Human Settlements and Urban Development officials have agreed to lean into each other and help informal settlers impacted by the ongoing buildup in transport infrastructures to rebuild disrupted lives and rejoin normal society as productive members.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agencies will leverage each other’s expertise in land-use, housing and transportation planning to boost the social and economic opportunities of the affected families.
“For the first time, the DOTr and DHSUD have joined forces to create livable, vibrant and healthy communities. We will leverage on our collective expertise,” Bautista said.
Under the agreement, the DOTr and DHSUD will coordinate relocation and resettlement activities of those impacted by the transport projects, plan with concerned local government units transport-oriented development areas, and study and plan estates and new town developments to ensure integrated land use and transport planning.
The DOTr will likewise coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in boosting accessibility of existing and new DHSUD townships, estates and housing projects by establishing new public transport routes to be identified and integrated in the route plans by LGUs and route rationalization studies of the DOTr and LTFRB.
According Bautista, transport infrastructure integrated with land use and housing will ensure sustainability and promote green spaces for communities.
Under the plan, the DHSUD will formulate and prescribe land use planning and zoning standards and regulations in the formulation of city-municipal comprehensive land use plans.
Human Settlements Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar saidd the agreement will ensure that both housing and transportation are prioritized.
