Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has backed a bill that seeks to strengthen the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Romualdez underscored the importance of the measure in the effort to strengthen housing as a platform to reduce poverty, promote climate resilience, improve health and socio-cultural outcomes, and promote economic development.
“This bill seeks to develop integrated, sustainable, safe, affordable and resilient communities, particularty for the underprivileged and homeless as well as low-income households,” Romualdez said as the House approved on final reading House Bill (HB) 10172, also known as the proposed National Housing Authority Act.
The measure, which obtained an overwhelming 188 votes during plenary session at the House, resulted from the consolidation of eight other bill, namely HB 954, 1429, 2300, 2994, 6390, 8156 8758, and 9258
Romualdez also said that it implements innovative and alternative solutions in addressing the housing needs of informal settler families, the lower-income classes and other vulnerable sectors. It also espouses the adoption of viable land acquisition and management approaches.
The measure extends the corporate term of the NHA for a period 25 years, which shall be under the control and supervision of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
It authorizes the NHA “to determine, establish, and maintain the most feasible and effective program for the management or disposition of specific housing or resetlement projects and acquisition of lands for the immediate and future needs of its beneficiaries.”
It also provides for the powers and functions of the NHA to develop and implement comprehensive and integrated housing and urban and rural development programs for citizens specifically for the improvement of blighted urban areas direct shelter production and disposition for informal settler families and the underprivileged and homeless, relocation of families subject of court-ordered eviction, housing program for government employees and mililtary and uniforred personnel, and the relocation of residents in danger areas.
It authorizes the NHA to engage in land banking for purposes of socialized housing developments, as well as promotes the development of citizen participation through thorough consultation and the incorporation of a people’s plan, when needed.
Under HB 10172, the NHA is designated as the central repository of database and census of households along waterways, danger areas, government nfrastructure project site, and government owned lands in Metro Manila.
It requires NHA to adhere to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 10149, otherwise kown as the “GOCC Goverance Act of 2011”, as a government owned or controlled corporation (GOCC).
Moreover, it rationalizes its Board of Directors to adhere to the National Human Setlements Board provided under RA 11201, otherwise known as the “Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act.”
The bill provides for the mandatory review of the NHA by the DHSUD, Commission on Audit, and Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations.