THE Caloocan City government has conducted its first housing caravan, in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA), to identify the first batch of poor families that would benefit from its low-cost housing program dubbed "Pambansang Pabahay para sa Batang Kankaloo" (National Housing for Caloocan Kids).

Initially, more than 1,500 families among informal settlers, renters and other residents without a house will get a chance to avail of the low-cost housing program, the local government said.

As planned, the housing units will be built in the soon-to-rise Bagumbong and Deparo residences, Mayor Along Malapitan told The Manila Times.

Malapitan cited the support of NHA and the city's Housing and Resettlement Office (HARO) for the housing caravan that took place over the weekend.

"We could not have this successful housing caravan without the help of NHA and our very own HARO," Malapitan said.

Meanwhile, the city's public information office said the housing caravan was vital as it provided more details for the qualified residents regarding the program.

Malapitan reminded his constituents that priority would be given to those who were evaluated to be in urgent need of new homes.

"But never worry for my other constituents because my administration will have more projects that will be implemented to address housing concerns," said Malapitan, who expressed his gratitude to NHA General Manager Joeben Tai and Assistant General Manager Alvin Feliciano, who attended the caravan along with city officials.