DBM releases P3.38 B to NHA for housing dev’t

 Economy
Dec 032013
 

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management approved the release of P3.38 billion to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the continued implementation of its housing development and settlement program.

The money will be used to cover the construction and completion of off-city housing projects which include 3,086 housing lots as well as  address the perennial flooding in several problematic areas in Metro Manila by relocating informal settler families to safer ground.

“The Aquino administration still prioritizes the implementation of housing projects and the relocation of informal settler families from pre-determined danger areas , especially because we continue to experience the effects of the rainy season and the risks associated with storms and weather disturbances,”DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

“At the end of the day, the primary goal is to prevent the potential loss of property and lives caused by flooding, primarily through the provision of safe housing alternatives to our informal settlers,” he added. 

As of August 2013, the NHA has already spent  P3.82 million for the development of 12,941 off-city lots, of which 12,291 housing units have been constructed.  This benefited about 6,511 families.

The money was likewise used to beef up its land holdings.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

According to the DBM, a total of 24,851 new housing units will be built upon completion of the housing program in 2014.

The P3.38 billion cash funding, sourced from  2011 savings, was transferred to the NHA from the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), where the cash component of the P10 billion allocation for the housing program is parked.

Palace defends DILG relocation role, calls criticism 'simplistic'

 News
Sep 072013
 
Palace defends DILG relocation role, calls criticism 'simplistic'

Malacañang on Saturday defended the Department of Interior and Local Government’s role in the relocation of informal settler families, especially from danger and high-risk zones. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III’s Memorandum Order 57 gave the DILG the lead role because of the local government component in relocation. “The challenge with relocating informal settler families goes beyond building houses and throwing them somewhere, it’s not as simple as that. Ang paglipat hindi lang basta-basta,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. On Friday, Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco questioned the role of the DILG in the relocation effort, saying it was the National Housing Authority that should be handling the housing problem. Valte countered that the DILG coordinates local government units involved in the relocation and is in “constant contact with stakeholders,” while the NHA only builds houses in the relocation sites. The deputy spokesperson said that the other agencies  involved included the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Valte also took a dig at critics who questioned the DILG’s role in the resettlement. “Huwag natin gawing simplistic para meron tayong maging press release,” she said. — DVM, GMA News

NDRRMC: Labuyo death toll rises to 7, damage nears P1 billion

 News
Aug 142013
 
NDRRMC: Labuyo death toll rises to 7, damage nears P1 billion

Labuyo causes landslides, flood in Baguio. Rescuers clear debris from a road after a landslide that occurred at the height of Typhoon Labuyo (Utor) in Baguio City on Monday, August 12. The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year triggered landslides and floods, disrupting power and communication links, leaving one person dead and 13 fishermen missing. Reuters The death toll from Typhoon Labuyo rose to seven Wednesday afternoon, with a resident of Isabela being the latest fatality, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday. NDRRMC spokesman Maj. Reynaldo Balido said Army troops found the body of Benie Almario Labios, 46, at Dipangit village in Jones town in Isabela. “Nakita siya ng tropa ng Philippine Army, ang 86th Infantry Battalion, sa Dipangit, Jones, Isabela,” Balido said in an interview on dzBB radio. Labios was initially reported missing last Monday. The NDRRMC’s 3 p.m. update said that five people were missing while at least seven were injured. According to the council, Labuyo affected at least 45,249 families or 204,627 people in 475 villages in 84 towns and five cities in 16 provinces. It likewise noted a “significant increase” in the number of affected families or persons in Cagayan Valley. Of those affected, 2,641 families or 11,855 people are housed in 57 evacuation centers. As of Wednesday afternoon, 29 roads were still impassable,including 14 in Cordillera, 12 in Central Luzon, and one each in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. The NDRRMC said 13 bridges were rendered impassable, while power outages Read More …

NHA readies MM informal settlers’ in-city housing

 Entertainment
Jul 062013
 

MANILA  (Mabuhay) — The National Housing Authority (NHA) is building in Metro Manila some 6,400 dwelling units (DUs) for informal settlers who prefer in-city housing and will be relocated there from the region’s danger areas. “We’ll deliver those DUs beginning October this year,” said NHA General Manager Chito Cruz. He noted that the completed DUs […]

Gov’t subsidies to GOCC down 21.5% to P42.15B

 Economy
Mar 072013
 
Gov’t subsidies to GOCC down 21.5% to P42.15B

MANILA, Philippines – Subsidies given by the government to state-owned and controlled corporations went down by 21.5 percent to P 42.15 billion last year from P53.7 billion in 2011, data from the Bureau of Treasury showed. The amount, however, was 32.7 percent higher than the government’s 2012 target of only P31.76 billion. Cumulative subsidies declined even as the government increased its spending by 14 percent to P1.78 trillion last year. In December alone, subsidies for state institutions reached P15.96 billion, 87.76 percent higher than the previous year’s P8.5 billion. Among top five recipients of subsidies in 2012 were the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (P14.07 billion), National Food Authority (P7.66 billion), National Electrification Administration (P4.95 billion), National Irrigation Administration (P2.81 billion),  and the National Housing Authority (P2.4 billion). PhilHealth was created on Feb. 17, 1995 to provide universal health coverage and ensure a sustainable national health insurance program for Filipinos. Local and national government allocate funds to subsidize the membership of indigents.  Among PhilHealth’s members include workers employed by companies and institutions, indigents with no means of support; retirees (non-paying members) who are 60 or older, and individuals under the overseas workers and similar programs.           Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The NFA is an agency of the government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring the food security of the Philippines and the stability of supply and price of rice.  The government subsidizes rice imports through exemption from duties and taxes. The NEA, on the Read More …