NHA COMPLETES 3K HOUSING UNITS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, 16K HOUSING UNITS TO RISE

In recognition of the significant contribution of government employees in nation building, the National Housing Authority NHA developed and revitalized the implementation of the housing program for government employees. Initially, the intended beneficiaries of this housing program as mandated in Section 2 of Administrative Order No. 9 s. 2011 are the low-salaried members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP, Philippine National Police PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology BJMP, Bureau of Fire Protection BFP, and Bureau of Corrections BuCor. However, in 2016, heeding the call for inclusion of civilian personnel from other government agencies, the NHA released Memorandum Circular No. 2020-077, the New AFP/PNP Housing Program Government Employees Housing Program GEHP, also known as Tahanan ng Kawani ng Gobyerno to include the formal sector. Through GEHP, the NHA aims to promote commendable and competitive housing to public servants, provide an opportunity for all government employees to apply for housing units, and expand housing options for government employees in need of a home they can call their own. In an interview, Engr. Leanne Villanueva, National Program Coordinator for AFP/PNP Housing, said GEHP is the response of NHA to the clamor of government employees to extend the provision of livable and affordable housing for the formal sector. With a total of 32 projects nationwide expected to generate 16,545 housing units, GEHP, as of August 2022, has already completed four projects, namely a Scout Ranger Ville in San Miguel, Bulacan b Christine Villas in Balao-i, Lanao del Norte c Santa Monica Homes in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and d Madayaw Residences in Davao City. NHA has produced 5,020 fully completed housing units, of which 3,100 are ready-for- occupancy, secured with water and electricity connections. In building homes for the Filipino community, the NHA ensures that housing units are designed to be competitive in the market in terms of modern housing design, complemented with a variety of housing models such as one-story duplex, two-story duplex, low-rise building LRB, medium-rise building MRB, and high- rise building HRB with a maximum lot area of 150 sq.m andafloorareaof36to60sq.m depending on the housing type has two bedrooms, toilet and bath, kitchen, living area, and a parking space. According to Villanueva, Housing units under GEHP are the concrete proof of NHAs quality housing delivery that is not only available for the informal settlers families, but also for the low-salaried government employees. Furthermore, during the celebration of Migrants Day on June 7, 2021, the NHA, Department of Labor and Employment DOLE, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration OWWA formalized the inclusion of Overseas Filipino Workers OFWs as housing beneficiaries of the Authority through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement. The NHA launched the Tahanan ng Bagong Bayani Program TBBP on Aug. 24, 2021, which allows OFWs to avail of the socialized and low- cost housing projects under GEHP.The program was developed to recognize the efforts and contributions of the OFWs, the countrys modern-day heroes, for their sacrifices and economic contributions to the country. Under the TBBP, OFWs of legal age but not more than 65 years old at the date of application and not more than 70 years old at the time of the maturity of the housing loan are qualified to apply for the program. Former OFWs can also apply and include their dependents. Similar to GEHP, TBBP housing units will be disposed of through outright cash sale, staggered cash in-house payment, or installment terms under the in-house financial and end-buyer financing through Home Development Mutual Fund Pag-IBIG Fund or other government financial institutions. Availment of the housing units through the Pag-IBIG Fund will follow the monthly amortization based on the approved selling price under AFP/PNP/GEHP and OFWs Housing Program for as low as P5,000 to P12,000 depending on the housing type availed, which is payable for a maximum of 30 years. The approved selling price and monthly amortization will depend on the prevailing interest rate of the Pag-IBIG Fund at the time that the housing will be awarded. This initiative of the NHA has given modern-day heroes a chance to reward their hard work through owning a home. This also signifies the dedication of the Authority to its pledge of Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive BALAI Filipino communities. With the new administration and leadership of General Manager Joeben Tai, the NHA pledes in Building Better and More BBM housing to provide homes for the Filipino people until such time that each and every Filipino has a home they can call their own