By Jovee Marie de la Cruz - AUGUST 28, 2017

After the failed implementation of one of the biggest housing programs of the government, the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development has authorized the redistribution of thousands of housing units intended for soldiers and policemen.

This, after the housing committee has endorsed for plenary approval a measure authorizing the National Housing Authority (NHA) to distribute the unoccupied and unawarded government housing units to other qualified beneficiaries.

Rep. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental, the panel chairman, said House Joint Resolution 11 was unanimously approved last week by members of his committee. The Senate version of the measure is still pending for approval.

According to Benitez, the resolution seeks to give to other qualified beneficiaries the unawarded housing units in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) housing projects that are not yet occupied and whose ownership and possession is surrendered by their respective awardees.

The lawmaker said housing units, whose respective awards were canceled by reason of default in the payment of amortization or for any violation of the terms and conditions of the individual loan agreement, were also included.

Under the resolution, the NHA may instead identify alternative beneficiaries and beneficiary-specific sites, such as in the case of public-school teachers living within the area; employees in the local government concerned where the housing units are constructed; barangay employees and functionaries and informal settlers who could all benefit from the unoccupied housing units.

Some of the units of this housing program in Pandi and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, have already been occupied by the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

Administrative Order 9, Series of 2011, directed the NHA to provide permanent housing sites for qualified low-salaried members of the AFP. The project was expanded to include employees of BFP, BJMP and BuCor in 2012.

However, Benitez said years after implementing the program, several housing units constructed under the AFP/PNP housing project are still unoccupied, as verified by the Commission on Audit.

“The reported occupancy rate of the completed housing units for the program is at a mere 8.09 percent,” he said.  Benitez said the Department of Budget and Management has already released a total of P20.7 billion—through the General Appropriations Act—for the implementation of the housing program with a target of 74,195 units as of March 31.

Out of a target 74,195 housing units as of March 31, 62,308 units were fully completed. Of the completed units, 52,892 were already awarded but only 8,240 units are occupied.

The NHA board will have to convene within 60 days from the approval of the resolution for the purpose of formulating the necessary implementing rules and regulations.

Benitez, citing the COA, said the nonuse by the intended beneficiaries of the housing units under the AFP/PNP housing project resulted to the loss of revenues on the part of the government, unnecessary exposure of the units to unfavorable weather condition and nonattainment of the objectives of the program.

Also, he said the low occupancy rate of the completed housing units by their intended beneficiaries is a “clear indication of a failed program in the face of the need for government to provide housing to a larger portion of its populace, an undeniably undesirable situation that needs remedial legislation”.