Anticipating the more than 22.6 million housing units needed by 2040 based on the Philippine Statistics Research and Training Institute projection, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go seeks to hasten housing production.
Go said that the housing needs in the country continues to grow to 6.57 million units for the period of 2017-2022.
He added that said Informal Settler Families population in the country “has also continued to increase with 1.9 million ISFs in 2019.”
Go said his proposed measure is part of his efforts to reduce homelessness in the country.
SB 203, which was one of the first ten priority bills of the senator, also intends “to significantly accelerate housing production, and ensure sufficient and reliable government funding and financing for housing in the coming years.
To address the huge housing backlog, Go filed Senate Bill 203 or the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019, that seeks to provide low-cost, accessible and affordable housing.
“The poor will always be my priority and will take precedence when it comes to low-cost housing programs and development, including the construction of safe and permanent evacuation centers, and housing assistance for fire victims,” said Go.
The senator pointed out that in the event of natural disasters or fire incidents, many Filipino families also lose their homes
If SB 203 is passed into law, he said various types of socialized housing programs for the poor and disaster survivors will be implemented where the National Housing Authority will take the lead. Housing programs for low-salaried government employees will also be made available.
Go also said that there’s a need to increase the budget of NHA and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to address the housing needs of Filipinos, especially the poor.
The senator also urged the NHA to further improve their efforts in addressing housing issues, such as pushing to renovate substandard housing units and complete the construction of units that remain unfinished so they can be readily distributed to deserving families.
“We also have problems on the substandard housing units, not only during the time of President Duterte. In the previous administration, we have seen many uninhabited housing units . It’s a wastage”.
Go noted that these available units can be used by the homeless and fire victims.
The senator offered full cooperation to move things faster and process confirmation of families that can be awarded with the units.
The senator also encouraged NHA to improve their communication and information dissemination efforts to reach out to more Filipinos who need housing assistance from the government.
“‘We have to boost our information campaign drive,” Go said, adding that he also willing to help as he continues to bring representatives from the NHA in his fire visits.
The senator is confident that the housing department will fulfill its duties and work hand-in-hand to improve the housing situation in the country.
Go also strongly urged the government to strengthen its commitment to provide a decent home for every Filipino family.