P1.6 billion housing project for uniformed personnel soon to rise

CEBU, Philippines —  A P1.6-billion housing project for policemen, soldiers and government workers will soon rise in the upland barangay of Pulangbato, Cebu City.

Senator Christopher Go and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the construction of medium-rise condominium buildings.

The project called Southpark Residences, the medium-rise condominium will have a total of 850, two-bedroom residential units with each unit measuring 42 square meters, including a 2.5-sqm balcony.

Escalada said two 10-story and a 13-story building will rise on a 2.1-hectare land.

He said each unit would cost around P1.9 million and payable for 30 years.

The housing project, he said, is expected to be finished in 2023.

The project’s excavation works, installation, and concreting of footing are already ongoing.

Go, in his speech, said the project is the 27th housing project being undertaken by the government in fulfillment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to give the members of the uniformed service in the country affordable housing.

Aside from police and military personnel, the housing project will also benefit employees of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Corrections.

Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 chief, said the housing project is a very welcome development.

“This is a big help to our men especially those living and renting in slum areas. They can finally have their own decent homes,” he said.

He said cops will “financially and economically” benefit the project.

Lt. General Roberto Ancan from the Central Command (Centcom) headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for his part, lauded the government for the “good” project.

He is among the beneficiaries of the program.

He also urged the soldiers to avail of the government’s housing project.

 “I encouraged you to avail of this project for your families,” he said. — KQD (FREEMAN)