CARLA N. CANET
February 20, 2019

NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has lauded the signing of Republic Act (RA) 11201, creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 14, the law created the department through the consolidation of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). 

The new department is delegated as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlement, and urban development.

Benitez, author of the House's version of the bill, said the measure will allow a unified direction and consolidated efforts toward shelter delivery for the Filipinos.

Benitez, who serves as chairman of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, also lauded his colleagues in Congress for passing the measure.

It was only in the 17th Congress when the bill gained much attention after it was included in the priority measure of the President, the Negrense lawmaker said.

Moreover, RA 11201 is a consolidation of Senate Bill 1578 and House Bill 6775, which were passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives last November 12 and October 10, respectively.

Benitez said the failure of the past government housing programs was focusing on relocating informal settlers in remote areas with no access to income and basic services.

"We should maximize government lands that have been idle for years and use it for the Filipino families who need housing that are close to their source of income," Benitez said.

He added they are optimistic that the creation of the department is a step towards the realization of providing affordable homes to the Filipino families.