Informal settler families were ushered to their new dwellings at the densely forested area of Morong, Rizal, Philippines, and out of the urban area of Metro Manila.

As part of the socialized housing program, stakeholders gathered as the resettlement area with a capacity of over 470 households was opened to initially around 165 families. The relocation facility is now called home by these residents whose demographics cover unemployed and low-income workers including their children. 

Cognizant of the challenges of moving outside the city, this area lacked stable mobile coverage and providers of internet facilities, yet “...students are able to continue participating in online learning programs while they are steadily assimilated to local schools,” said Mr. Philip Robert Flores, Vice President of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC). 
Livelihood programs and several other initiatives to cushion the economic impact of the relocation are underway including financial inclusion, e-commerce and vocational training envisaged to be partly delivered through the internet. 

“Upskilling and retooling will be a great asset for the community unlocked through connectivity,” added Assistant Secretary Hanica Rachael Arshia J. Ong of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. 

The Intramuros Community Homeowners Association welcomed the connectivity implemented by DoubleSquare Networks, a member-partner of unconnected.org, as an incentive to fully immerse in the newly set-up village and its shared community facilities, allowing learning opportunities not only for students but also the out-of-school youth.