Kin of soldiers killed in action to get new homes

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will soon distribute housing units to qualified heirs of soldiers killed in the line of duty under its newly approved “Killed-in-Action (KIA) Off-Base Housing Program.”

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said the military’s new housing scheme is in coordination with the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“In recognition of their selfless sacrifices, families of the fallen soldiers of the AFP will soon get new houses for only P200 monthly pay that is payable in only 10 years,” Detoyato said.

These housing units in the form of 36-square meter row-houses, with a floor area of 24 square meters, are currently being developed in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Detoyato said that in order for the slain soldiers’ beneficiaries to avail of the housing units, all they have to do is to submit the necessary documents to the AFP Housing Management Division, showing proof that they are the real beneficiaries of the fallen soldiers.

“The KIA beneficiaries simply have to submit their names, registered mailing address, contact numbers and preferred sites among the housing sites to the AFP housing board for endorsement to the NHA,” Detoyato said.

AFP chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri has directed the commanders of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines to notify the respective KIA beneficiaries about the new government housing programs for slain soldiers.

The government launched the new military housing program to ensure that the widows of soldiers, especially those who don’t have their own houses, would finally have their own permanent and secure dwelling.