As one of the highly urbanized areas in Metro Manila, Marikina City had its share of poor migrants in search of better opportunities. Prior to this program, about one-third of Marikina’s population either lived in depressed areas, squatted on private and government lots, or lived in danger zones such as along river banks, creeks, road right-of-ways, road lots and public open spaces.

       The passage of the New Local Government Code and the Urban Development and Housing Act gave impetus to the locality’s vision for a squatter free city. In 1993, a program was implemented by the Marikina Settlement Office (MSO). It involved screening and selection of beneficiaries; dialogue between the urban poor and local government; provision of free trucking/hauling for relocatees; relocation by colony by random within the city’s jurisdiction; and strict implementation of the anti-squatting law.

       By 1998, 7,000 squatter families were relocated to five major resettlement sites. Each settler/family was entitled to own a 24 square meter lot. Amortization rates ranged from P200 to P300 per month, payable in 25 years through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP). The MSO offered livelihood and skills training for employment. Beneficiaries’ involvement was encouraged through orientations on organizing cooperatives and management. A total of 158 urban poor associations were organized and strengthened. Fourteen more groups were formed to assist the program in various social-action activities; these associations helped in monitoring new squatter settlements and summary demolition, cleaning and greening of their communities (Kalinisan at Kaayusan sa Komunidad), peace and order, and disaster preparedness.

       The program provided the beneficiaries with houses, which they could call their own. Relocatees now enjoy the luxury of living in a safe, secure environment with reliable utilities and basic infrastructure like roads and drainage systems. They also gained greater access to essential city services, like garbage collection, health, rescue and emergency assistance. These changes have affected the lives of around 200,000 residents. These strategies have liberated the river banks of squatters, and transformed the Marikina River into the only ecologically alive river in Metro Manila. A total of 500 hectares were cleared of squatters, while about 100 hectares of privately owned lands were developed for resettlement. Through this program, Marikina can now claim to be a model squatter-free city in the metropolis.