MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has assured that informal settlers who are relocated by the government will receive livelihood assistance.

Binay, who is the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) cited the case of the relocation site in Montalban, Rizal for the informal settlers in North Triangle, Quezon City.

A R25-million livelihood package was given to the beneficiaries in cooperation with Ayala Land and San Jose Builders, according to Binay.

"We now have livelihood programs for our relocation projects. In the case of the relocation site in Montalban, Rizal, we allotted a budget of P25 million," Binay said.

The government housing czar has admitted that while the government understands the resistance of informal settlers to be relocated in areas far from their source of livelihood, on-site housing is not always possible.

Binay said this is because the contested lot most of the time is not being sold by its private owner or it would be used by the government for its infrastructure projects.

On the other hand, Binay asked government housing beneficiaries to treasure the privilege given them by prioritizing the payment of their monthly amortization rather than sustaining their vices.

He urged the beneficiaries to minimize unnecessary expenses like drinking alcohol, smoking, gambling and even their "cellp hone load" so they could have a house of their own.

"With a little sacrifice, someday you will have something to bequeath to your children," he said.