Release budget for housing program, DBM asked

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines  – The House of Representatives has asked Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to release P2.06 billion for the local housing program as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 7835, otherwise known as the Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Financing Act of 1994.

The House adopted Resolution 591 sponsored by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, before they went on a Yuletide break. 

In a statement released here by Valencia, he said the local housing backlog is at 3.7 million due to the delay in the release of funds.

“Fifteen years after the enactment of RA 7835, a measly 31 percent of the total allocation for the local housing program (LHP) was released and distributed to various congressional districts throughout the country,” he said.

“There is an urgent need to release the remaining 69 percent of the appropriations for the LHP to give each congressional district an equal opportunity to provide its constituents with socialized housing and eventually help decrease the housing backlog in the country,” he said.

He said the government should implement a continuing program of urban land reform and housing to ensure decent housing and basic services to the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas.

RA 7835 was enacted to increase and regularize the yearly appropriations of the major components of the national shelter program to ensure continuous funding support to vigorously implement the government’s program for housing and resettlement.