Binay: NHA funds running out fast

CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said the National Housing Authority is fast running out of funds for new homes of earthquake survivors in Cebu and Bohol.

“Napakarami nating kalamidad. Di kami maka-all out kasi ubos na ang budget namin (We experienced several calamities. We cannot extend all-out help because our funds are used up already),” he said.

Binay said NHA, Pag-ibig Fund, and the Social Housing Finance Corporation personnel visited the affected areas in Cebu and Bohol to inform residents of the housing programs that they may avail.

 â€œUmiikot na iyong aming mga sa shelter sector, sinasabi namin eto na iyong pwede naming maitulong,” he said.

Binay is also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Board.

He said NHA will coordinate with Cebu and Bohol local officials for the resettlement of the families who lost their homes due to the earthquake Tuesday last week.

 â€œPagka sirang-sira talaga iyong bahay, bibigyan sila ng (If the house is heavily damaged by the quake, the owner gets from the) NHA ng bahay (a house) on-site… o kaya naman doon sa (or another one at the) resettlement area pagka nakakuha kami ng lupa sa (once we get a lot from the) local government,” Binay said, in a statement.

NHA will also provide cement, wood, galvanized iron sheet and other home materials for those whose houses were damaged.

The NHA Board Friday approved the increase of the P5,000 home materials assistance to P10,000 for earthquake survivors in Cebu and Bohol, and those in war-torn Zamboanga City.

NHA has submitted a P24-billion budget proposal for 2014 to the Department of Budget (DBM). The DBM, however, endorsed only around P11 billion to the Congress for inclusion in the 2014 budget.

The amount would be used only for NHA’s housing program for soldiers and police officers nationwide and to transfer informal settlers living in danger zones in Metro Manila.

 Since DBM’s budget was reduced, it will not cover regional resettlement, slum upgrading and resettlement/relocation due to calamities. — (FREEMAN)