THE National Housing Authority will audit all its real estate properties and unused lands of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Agrarian Reform as part of its building program for 2017, its general manager said Thursday.
“I have instructed all area managers to conduct an inventory of lots owned by the NHA all over the country. That is where we will build low-rise and medium-rise buildings in 2017,” NHA general manager Marcelino Escalada told the Manila Standard. “I want to be quick and swift.”
He disclosed he wants to recover idle and abandoned lands belonging to DENR, DAR and other government agencies so he can put up socialized housing units with a monthly amortization of P200 to less than P500.
Before the end of 2016, the agency will bid out the construction of the projects, he said.
“As early as January 2017, I want to start with the construction. I want it that fast since the properties already belong to us,” he said.
“Under my watch, I will not sell any property of the NHA,” he said, hoping that he could “break the cycle” of housing beneficiaries selling the land awarded to them by the government.
“I am thinking of a public rental [scheme] with a rental fee of P200 a month, but definitely less than P500 a month,” he added. “Beneficiaries can choose an option. They can go for ownership or rental.”
According to Escalada, the government, not the developers, will have the authority to dictate what the best technology and materials to use once the socialized housing projects have rolled out in January.
Upon assuming office last August, Escalada said the NHA will maintain its mission to provide adequate and affordable housing to low-income and underprivileged families.
“The NHA under the Duterte administration ensures the public that it will address the country’s housing needs as it will lead the construction and development of new communities and maximize government resources,” he said.
NHA said its housing program only caters to the lowest 30 percent, the poorest of the urban population and it is mandated to provide housing and related assistance to ISFs living along danger zones and areas affected by government infrastructure projects.
Specifically, the national government prioritizes housing programs within the six- year Philippine Development Plan which is the basis of NHA’s target each year.
Currently, the ongoing housing projects of the NHA have identified family-beneficiaries who were qualified during the planning and pre-qualification process which will be the basis for their award.
Likewise, the NHA extends its service delivery to families affected by calamities, housing for indigenous peoples and local/regional housing and resettlement projects in coordination with the Local Government Units and congressional representatives.
Towards resolving the housing backlog, the programs for ISFs are made sustainable and cost recoverable in order to benefit more families. Per NHA’s policies, for housing intended for the ISFs, price subsidies are extended so that the housing package prices are affordable.