Senate to hold probe into occupied Bulacan houses
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said on Wednesday that the Senate inquiry into neglected housing projects will push through after Holy Week.
Ejercito, chair of the Senate's urban planning and housing panel, set the probe into urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)'s occupation of close to 6,000 housing units in Bulacan on April 18.
"On these particular projects in Bulacan, we want to know those accountable for the neglect of the housing projects and where the funds were funneled," Ejercito said in a statement.
He added that the probe will also tackle why several National Housing Authority housing projects remain "substandard in quality, unoccupied, and fragmented."
"It is imperative that we make an inventory of available, unoccupied and idle housing units for immediate awarding to qualified homeless people to prevent wastage of public funds and properties and decrease the number of housing needs in the country," Ejercito said in Senate Resolution 332.
The Senate inquiry will push through despite President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to let the occupants have the housing units built supposedly for soldiers and police officers.
"I will look into the matter seriously and I will ask you soldiers and the policemen, bitawan na lang ninyo ‘yan, ibigay na lang natin sa kanila, tutal mahirap sila," Duterte said in a speech at the Army anniversary celebration on Tuesday.
He also vowed to provide the soldiers bigger and better housing units.
In March, Ejercito and House of Representatives housing panel chair Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez filed resolutions calling for a joint inquiry into the incident.
READ: Duterte asks cops, soldiers: Let Kadamay keep housing units
Comply with process, Ejercito insists
Ejercito said that members of Kadamay should still comply with the proper process to acquire the housing units. He explained that making the turnover official will prevent other groups from doing the same.
"I am against any form of a government project being held hostage in order to justify anyone's need for shelter, unless in times of calamity. We have to do things right," Ejercito said.
He added that Kadamay's occupation of the housing units should serve as a wake-up call for the government to address the housing problems in the country.
"By now I believe we are convinced that government housing projects are no longer about structures, but should also cover a comprehensive and strategic plan in addressing other basic needs of beneficiaries such as access to livelihood, transportation, education, and health facilities," Ejercito said.
He added that the creation of a Department on Human Settlements and Urban Development and the passage of the In-City Relocation Bill, which would be the Senate Committees priorities, should help in addressing the housing backlog.
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