09/29/2011 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chair Jejomar C. Binay led the opening of the ninth Pabahay Caravan this year in Ugac Norte, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The Region II Caravan 2011 was conducted on September 15-16 at the Crown Restaurant and Hotel with the theme, “Strengthening Local Government Units (LGUs) in Housing Delivery and Local Development Planning.” In attendance were local chief executives of Region II as well as their respective planning officers and other department heads involved in housing programs and projects.
The activity is in line with the thrust of the Vice President to build a stronger partnership with LGUs. Under Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, LGUs are mandated to deliver quality homes to their constituents.
“Being closer to the people, the LGUs should be at the forefront in delivering housing services,” Binay said. “On the other hand, it is the role of the HUDCC to enable them to provide these services by orienting them on our housing programs and granting financial support to implement such projects in their areas,” he added.
During the caravan, heads of the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, (NHMFC), the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) presented their agency’s respective housing programs and services for LGUs and local communities.
“By making the LGUs aware of our housing programs and services, we will be able to encourage them to work together with the national government in accelerating shelter production and enhancing the delivery of housing services to the people,” Binay said.
Among the topics the representatives discussed included the role of LGUs in housing and urban development as well as specific housing programs for LGUs, including Pag-IBIG Fund’s Group Housing Loan Program, SHFC’s localized community mortgage program, and NHA’s resettlement program.
Meanwhile, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) talked about how comprehensive land use planning can help LGUs ensure rational, ecologically balanced and sustainable development of resources and growth of human settlements.
During the event, the Vice President led the distribution of Transfer Certificate of Titles (TCTs) to Pag-IBIG housing loan beneficiaries who have acquired their properties through Pag-IBIG’s End-User Home Financing Program or the Magaang Pabahay, Disenteng Buhay Program. Checks representing the housing loan proceeds of new borrowers were also released during the program.
Prior to the housing event in Tuguegarao, the Pabahay Caravan has been held in Cebu, Baguio City, Tagaytay City, Davao, Pampanga, Zamboanga, Tacloban and Laoag.
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