ILOILO CITY — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) is investigating the PHP4.2-billion housing project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) in the village of Cruz, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
The joint committees on justice, good government and human rights; on infrastructure; and on social welfare, housing, senior citizens, and persons with disability invited representatives of NHA 6 (Western Visayas) to clarify the status of the project during their regular session Thursday.
In a media interview, Domingo Oso Jr., vice-chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said they have observed only a few takers of the housing project.
“Until now, the area is not occupied and in my personal observation, the facilities, as required in accordance with the requirements, are not properly installed and put up by the developer,” he said.
The NHA has embarked on a PHP4.2-billion housing project in Barotac Nuevo town for the construction of 1,050 units of houses intended for the low-salaried and active members of law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police.
The construction of the project began in 2012 with target completion in 2013. It was contracted to the HG III Construction and Development Corp. based in Manila.
During the question hour of the session, Rhodora Lim, Estate Supervisor of NHA-6 said 743 of the housing units are occupied as of the moment.
Lim said the remaining units have not yet been occupied because some of the takers are still assigned in Marawi City.
Each unit costs PHP260,000 and was acquired through amortization and salary deduction for 30 years, she said.
Lim said the physical structure of the units is already completed.
She, however, said the contractor of the project has removed some amenities, such as door knobs and toilet bowls in the units that were not yet occupied for fear that they would be stolen.
“They will install them once the beneficiaries are ready to occupy the houses,” she added.
Meanwhile, Oso said they are planning to ask for the list of beneficiaries of the project, as well as those of reserved takers.
“We are planning to pass a resolution that if there are no takers, we will give (the unit) to government employees so that it would be used rather than wasted,” he said.
Oso said they might invite again representatives of NHA-6 to get updates.
“I hope eventually, the issue would be resolved,” he added. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
