Mass housing body abolished

President Arroyo abolished the Presidential Commission on Mass Housing (PCMH) after convening the body for the last time at Malacañang last Monday.

In an executive order, Mrs. Arroyo transferred the PCMH’s functions to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Mrs. Arroyo said she will ask Congress to pass into law a bill seeking to create a Department of Housing and Urban Development that would implement her administration’s "centerpiece program" on mass housing.

"In the next three years, the HUDCC proposes to pursue key directions in the housing sector," she said. "We will primarily focus in providing alternative modes on shelter security on both formal and informal sectors. Towards this end, HUDCC will also work hard for the passage into law of some priority legislation for the housing sector."

Mrs. Arroyo said the housing-related bills pending in Congress are:

• Securitization of long-term credits for housing.

• National Land Use Bill.

• Land Title Insurance Bill.

Mrs. Arroyo said the proposed housing department will be the lead government agency that would manage urban development and shelter.

"It will be responsible for planning and policy-making, program coordination and performance monitoring of all urban housing and concerns," she said. – Marichu Villanueva