Feb 19, 2026
Urban Poor Affairs officer Ramon Jorge Pendoza says land scarcity, social preparation, and shared best practices make a Metro Manila–wide housing association critical.
SAN JUAN CITY — Ramon Jorge Pendoza, an officer of the San Juan Urban Poor Affairs Office, said the consolidation of local housing efforts under the Association of Local Housing Officers Philippines (ALHOP) is a crucial step in addressing persistent urban housing challenges, particularly in highly urbanized and land-constrained cities like San Juan.
Pendoza noted that land availability remains the city’s biggest constraint, with limited areas suitable for housing development. As a result, San Juan has increasingly relied on high-rise and in-city housing solutions rather than large-scale relocation projects.
“Space is the core issue. We cannot expand the city, so we have to maximize what we have,” Pendoza said, explaining why many beneficiaries must adjust to vertical housing. He stressed that this shift requires intensive social preparation, as families must be guided to accept and sustain community living in dense urban environments.
According to Pendoza, not all local government units face the same realities, which is why ALHOP’s role is vital. “Not all LGUs are created equal,” he said. “This association helps equalize the sharing of problems, solutions, and good practices so cities can learn from one another and avoid repeating the same mistakes.”
He added that collaboration should go beyond simple benchmarking. Instead, LGUs must consistently exchange knowledge and work closely with local leaders to ensure that housing programs are implemented properly and sustained over time.
“This is not just a short-term plan,” Pendoza said. “People need to know there is an organization thinking about housing not only today, but in the long term.”
On relocation, Pendoza said San Juan prioritizes keeping residents within the city whenever possible. Off-city relocation, he explained, often leads to beneficiaries returning due to lack of livelihood and higher long-term costs for government. Since assuming his post, he said the city has relocated more than 300 families within available housing units, while limiting displacement outside San Juan.
He also underscored the importance of strict policies such as “one availment only” to ensure fairness, as well as affordable payment schemes that allow beneficiaries to pay modest monthly dues without penalties if paid on time.
Social preparation, he emphasized, is key to the success of any housing program. Beyond relocation, the city is working to curb squatting syndicates on government land, protect legitimate beneficiaries, and help families build savings that can be redirected toward nutrition, education, and eventual home ownership.
“If people are not prepared, housing will fail,” Pendoza said. “But if they are ready—socially and financially—the program has a real chance to succeed.”
He expressed hope that through ALHOP, Metro Manila residents will gain confidence that their housing concerns are being addressed collectively, systematically, and with a clear vision for the future.