Beneficiaries of a socialized housing project in Quezon City had a treat when they were visited by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who as president in 2001, issued an executive order that disposed of the 1.6-hectare government land and granted it to its occupants.
Arroyo motored to Sitio Pajo, Baesa, Quezon City after leading the House of Representatives in the approval of the 2019 national budget last Wednesday.
Residents in the area were the initial beneficiaries of the socialized housing program of the government during her administration.
In 2001, Arroyo as president, issued Executive Order 58, which disposed of the 1.6-hectare property of the National Power Corp. in Sitio Pajo and granted it to its occupants. Some 300 squatter families occupied the land at the time.
On Thursday afternoon, a few direct awardees of the urban housing also took part in the get-together and recounted the time they were able to enter the Malacañang when then-President Arroyo signed the proclamation.
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista acknowledged the governance of Speaker Arroyo, which exhibits an institution devoid of politics.
During her visit, Arroyo brought with her a medical mission that provided medical and dental care for more than 500 residents.
There are currently about 1,000 families living in the area.