Employees of the National Housing Authority on Monday threatened to stage a protest to block the passage of Senate Bill 1578, which would abolish the agency.
At a news conference in Quezon City, Evangeline Javier, NHA-Consolidate Union of Employees-Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees president, said the bill, if passed, shall create a Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to replace the NHA.
“Yes, there is a big probability [of the agency’s abolition] because its functions would be transferred to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. It is stipulated in the provisions of the proposed bill. Sad to say within two years, the [new] department would conduct a review of all attached agencies, such as the NHA,” she told the Manila Standard.
“Lastly, there is a repealing clause saying Presidential Decree 757 [creating the NHA] shall be repealed,” she lamented.
Based on the information Javier received, the Senate is set to pass the bill before the Holy Week, she said.
Lawmakers did not even consult the other housing stakeholders, such as the urban poor sector and NHA employees, Javier added.
“This is an assault to the jobs and job security of the employees who would primarily be affected by the passage of the bill,” she added.
Michael Beltran, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap public information officer, said the bill, if enacted into law, could only aggravate “homelessness and landlessness” among the poor.