House OKs bill on new housing department

The House of Representatives approved on second reading on Tuesday night Bill 4517 which seeks the creation of a Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD).

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said the measure would strengthen the government’s mass housing program and enable millions of Filipinos to acquire houses at affordable prices.

"As we promised our millions of Filipino families, in support of President Arroyo’s priorities, we will strengthen the government’s social housing program," he said.

Rep. Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao City), housing committee chairman, said the DHUD will serve as a "one-stop shop that will integrate all housing programs."

He said agencies now being supervised by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) will be attached to the new housing department.

These include the Home Guaranty Corporation, National Housing Authority (to be renamed National Housing Corp.), National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Home Development Mutual Fund, and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (to be renamed Real Estate Arbitration Commission).

Within six months from the enactment of Bill 4517, the HUDCC would transfer its powers, functions, personnel, funds, and equipment to the new department. The council will then cease to exist.

The DHUD secretary will be ex officio chairman of all agencies attached to the department.

Bill 4517 mandates the Public Estates Authority to develop new towns with complete basic facilities to decongest urban communities.

A social housing fund would be created and used solely for housing programs for low-income groups.