BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez pushed anew the pressing need to purposively move forward as one and with urgency in the journey towards attaining inclusive, sustainable and resilient housing and human settlement programs, especially for the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, stressing that “there is so much to be done.”
Addressing the local chief executives and their respective housing and planning teams via Zoom in the first Housing Coordination Meeting for 2022, which was hosted by Murcia local government unit on January 13, Benitez thanked the participants for continued support and cooperation in the effort to integrate housing development plans and programs under the Balay Hilway advocacy that he initiated, ensuring access to national agencies like the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation and non-government organizations that provide aid to housing projects.
The meeting led by Third District Housing coordinator, Architect Andrew Penalosa, and 3rd District Congressional Office Political Officer Galo Glino tackled the presentation and review of Operations Manual for Housing, identification of new priority sites for relocation of informal settler families for the year and sharing of best practices as well as problems in the implementation of housing projects in existing sites.
Habitat for Humanity representative Bonbon Neri also gave an update on its priority program in Negros Occidental, of providing assistance to local government units on how to access funds for site development for relocation and resettlement communities.
Status of damages to housing by Typhoon Odette as well as assistance and interventions for affected families were reported and updated.
Mayor Gerry Rojas, Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura and members of the Murcia Sangguniang Bayan also joined the meeting via Zoom, along with Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, participants were led by housing officers of Silay May Ann Barbasa, Atty. Pacifico Maghari of Talisay and Murcia Engr. Randy Gamboa.*
