Bulacan board to probe takeover of housing units

MALOLOS, Philippines  – Three committees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bulacan have been tasked to investigate the takeover of around 1,500 vacant housing units in Pandi town and San Jose del Monte City.

Bulacan Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando designated the social services, land use and urban development as well as peace and order committees to conduct the probe.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado directed Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, to secure the affected areas and other government housing sites.  

On Friday, the National Housing Authority (NHA) gave leaders of the militant Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to vacate the housing units within seven days.

Around 5,000 members of Kadamay took over the housing units at Villa Elise in Barangay Masuso, Village 2 in Mapulang Lupa, Villa Louise in Cacarong Matanda and Padre Pio in Cacarong Bata in Pandi and at the San Jose Heights in San Jose del Monte on Wednesday.

In a dialogue at the Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos on Friday, Romuel Alimboyao, NHA-Central Luzon officer-in-charge, assured members of Kadamay that the government is willing to help them even as he stressed the need for due process.

Alimboyao said  those who want to avail themselves of housing units should follow the procedure and submit the necessary documents.

He said they are also looking into reports that a group is behind the takeover of the housing units.

On the Facebook account of Kadamay, the Kilusang Mayo Uno posted that the group has “every right to occupy and assert their claim over the thousands of government housing units that has for the longest time been idle and are being used for money-making schemes by local and national government officials.”