TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Some 1,000 uniformed personnel in Negros Occidental will benefit from The New Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)/Philippine National Police (PNP) Housing Program launched by President Rodrigo Duterte in Barangay Dos Hermanas here on Sunday.
The PHP1-billion housing project, called Vista Alegre Homes, has a land area of about 15 hectares where 1,000 house and lot units will be developed in the next two years.
“This project is a testament of the government’s commitment to address the housing needs of our people, particularly those who risk their lives to serve our country with utmost courage and integrity,” President Rodrigo R. Duterte said in his speech.
The President arrived at the site at past 5 p.m. and proceeded to lead the time capsule-laying and groundbreaking ceremony with AFP chief General Carlito Galvez, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chair Eduardo Del Rosario, National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., and Talisay City Mayor Neil Jesus Antonio Lizares III.
Duterte said the soon-to-rise shelters “are not just physical structures that will protect the beneficiaries from dangers of the outside world, but are homes where families can share memories, nurture values and hope for a brighter future with their loved ones.”
“To the brave men and women of the AFP and the PNP, I assure you that this administration will remain resolute in promoting your welfare,” he added.
“May (the) launching of this project inspire all of you to continue to advocate supporting government’s campaign and advocacies in uplifting the lives of our citizens and creating a safer and more secure nation for all Filipinos,” he said.
Meanwhile, Escalada said the Vista Alegre Homes project is expected to be completed by March 2019.
Escalada said the housing units will be “very affordable” with a package price of only PHP1.1 million to PHP1.2 million compared to those sold by private developers which range from PHP1.9 million to PHP2.2 million.
The housing units were made “affordable” as Duterte directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to give each of the uniformed personnel a discount of PHP100,000, which will be charged to the Office of the President, Escalada said.
“Easily they can pay the monthly amortization at PHP4,900 to PHP5,100,” he added.
He said that of the total 1,000 housing units, 450 will be allocated to the military personnel, 450 to the police officers, and the remaining 100 units to personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Each of the duplex-type housing units will have a lot size of 80 square meters and floor area of 60 square meters.
The Vista Alegre Homes is the fifth housing project of the National Housing Authority under the new AFP/PNP Housing Program.
The four others are in Davao City, Tarlac City, Lanao del Norte, and Bulacan. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
