Calderon unveils housing project for Calabarzon cops

Some 500 police personnel assigned to the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region are expected to benefit from a 5.3-hectare off-base housing project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon formally unveiled the low-cost residential development project yesterday.

"As I have said upon my assumption as PNP chief, I shall demand excellence from all personnel, but will remain equally focused on your morale and welfare. And I pledge to make the PNP housing program the hallmark of my administration," he said.

Calderon said he remains committed to provide decent housing to some 70,000 "homeless" police personnel.

The PNP Integrity Heights Subdivision project is a joint undertaking of the PNP and developer Almeda Inc.

Calderon said the housing units will be available to PNP personnel at affordable amortizations through the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Of 118,000 PNP personnel, he said only 38 percent own a house and lot. The rest either rent their houses or live with relatives, while 18 percent or about 70,000 are informal settlers.

Last May, the PNP inaugurated a 6.2-hectare housing project for policemen in Tarlac City.

Calderon, who chaired the PNP’s housing program as deputy chief for administration, promised more housing projects in other regions.