VP Binay to Lacson: you have full cooperation of shelter agencies

By OVP Media
December 5, 2013

MANILA – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday said he welcomes the opportunity to help Senator Panfilo Lacson as the latter heads rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda-ravaged areas.

“This is an enormous challenge that cannot be done by one person. Senator Lacson can count on my full support as well as that of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and other key shelter agencies (KSAs),” Binay said.

Lacson earlier said he will consult Binay regarding housing rehabilitation efforts.

The Vice President concurrently chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Aside from the NHA, the KSAs under HUDCC include the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), the Social Housing Finance Corporation, Home Guaranty Corporation, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation.

Binay stressed the need to seek the assistance of the private sector in helping the affected areas recover in the wake of the super typhoon.

“It is important that we get experts on board, not only from government but also from the private sector, especially in rebuilding communities,” the housing czar said.

“We need to ensure that the new homes and communities we build for the survivors are sustainable and resilient to climate-change,” he added.

When he was still mayor of Makati, Binay partnered with Gawad Kalinga (GK) in establishing a resettlement community for informal settlers in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

When he became HUDCC chair, the Vice President also enlisted the help of GK and other private groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc., Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations Inc., and United Architects of The Philippines to help government provide affordable and climate-resilient homes as well as close the 3.6 million housing gap.

Binay also concurred with Lacson that the rehabilitation program should be implemented in a transparent manner.

“Transparency is important in the rehabilitation efforts, especially considering the enormous funding for the program,” the Vice President said.