THE developer of the Provincial Government’s socialized housing project in Barangay Tunghaan in the southern town of Minglanilla has proposed reducing the lot size for each house from 50 square meters (sq.m.) to 43 sq.m.

The project, which is intended for Capitol employees, will be developed by 77 Living Spaces Inc.

Giomaar Navaja of 77 Living Spaces said he came up with the suggestion so the area to be developed can accommodate more houses. The initial proposal was to build 350 units, but with the reduced lot size, they can build 632 units, he said.

The property, which has a total land area of 8.4 hectares, was originally intended for a Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing project.

On Sept. 14, 2007, the Capitol signed a memorandum of agreement with GK for the implementation of a housing project. The agreement, however, expired.

The lot area was supposed to accommodate at least 700 families. But between 2008 and 2013, only 98 structures were built in Tunghaan.

The structures occupy 1.09 hectares and the Capitol intends to develop the remaining 7.3 hectares for its employees.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, for her part, said she “hopes the project won’t remain a dream.”

Navaja, though, assured the governor that the project will be realized as they are set to work with the Home Development Mutual Fund, more popularly known as the Pag-IBIG Fund.

The Pag-IBIG Fund is a Philippine-owned and -controlled corporation under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. It is responsible for the administration of the national savings program and affordable shelter financing for Filipinos employed by local and foreign-based employers, as well as voluntary and self-employed members. (RTF)