The House of Representatives is working on the approval of a measure seeking to create the Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure the delivery of affordable and decent housing for underprivileged and homeless Filipinos.
Three House panels–House Committee on Government Reorganization, Housing and Urban Development and Appropriations endorsed House Bill 6194 or the proposed “Department of Housing and Urban Development Act” for plenary approval.
As contained in the Committee Report No. 909, the House panel, chaired by Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab recommended the approval of HB 6194, a consolidation of seven bills.
The measure calls for the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development by consolidating the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
“The objective of the bill is to rationalize and coordinate the functions and powers of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and National Housing Authority (NHA),” Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development said.
He explained that the measure abolishes the HUDCC and transfers its powers, functions, funds and appropriations records, equipment, property and personnel to the Department.
HB 6194 also reconstitutes the HLURB as the Human Settlements Adjudicatory Commission (HSAC) which shall operate as an independent commission within the Department, he said.
The proposed Act attaches the NHA, HGC,NHMFC, HDMF and SHFC to the Department, Benitez noted.
“This seeks to establish an efficient, effective, comprehensive and integrated national and local housing and urban development program aimed at adequately addressing the basic housing needs and requirement of the Filipino family,” he stressed.
HB 6194 provides that the Department shall be headed by a Secretary and assisted by four undersecretaries to be appointed by the President.
“The bill mandates the implementation of a rational well-balanced orderly and efficient development of urban communities and the development of new settlements in rural and non-farm areas to assure dwellers of decent and affordable housing job and livelihood opportunities, efficient mass transit, public safety, health care, educational opportunities and clean environment,” Benitez said.
SOURCE: Manila Bulletin
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