Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday, February 24, led the groundbreaking ceremony for Binondominium 2 in San Nicolas, marking the city’s sixth vertical housing project under his leadership portfolio.
The new building will rise on a 405-square-meter lot with a total floor area of 6,277.5 square meters and will house 98 residential units, each measuring 40 square meters and designed with two bedrooms, a toilet and bath, kitchen, dining area and living space.
The structure will also include two elevators, one office space, a daycare center, a multi-purpose hall, a roof deck, and other basic facilities intended to support the daily needs of beneficiary families.
In his speech, Domagoso recalled his childhood in Tondo and the series of relocations his family endured due to poverty and demolition, saying the project is deeply personal.
The Mayor recounted how his family was evicted when they could no longer pay rent.
“Ang mahirap sa pagiging iskwater, galing ka sa eskwelahan pag-uwi mo, hindi ka sigurado kung ’yung bahay mo nakatusok pa,” he said.
Domagoso reminded residents of his 2019 campaign promise to build housing in the area, saying the pandemic delayed parts of his plan but did not stop the construction of the first building.
The Mayor also stressed the importance of the city’s decision to invest hundreds of millions of pesos in public housing.
Citing former President Ramon Magsaysay, he said, “Those who have less in life must have more in law.”
The Mayor urged future beneficiaries to take care of the building once completed, stressing that improved housing must be matched by discipline and community responsibility.
Domagoso also assured residents that the city government would continue working with the national government on major projects, including the construction of a new Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Allied Health Sciences building and the planned acquisition of land for a new Tondo hospital.
“Ang Maynila ay mananatiling mamumuhunan sa MBN: Minimum Basic Needs—housing, education, healthcare, and jobs,” he said. “Ang gobyerno ay kayang pataasin ang antas ng pamumuhay ng kanyang mamamayan.” (MANILA PIO)
