By Fernan Angeles
A TOP government official hinted at the completion of some 26,000 housing units for families displaced by typhoon Yolanda seven years ago, before the 2022 elections.
In a hearing called for by the Commission on Appointments, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario admitted that thousands of housing units have yet to be completed for affected residents.
Del Rosario added that there are over 37,000 units that were targeted to be built for Yolanda victims in Eastern Visayas alone.
“Ang naging total inventory natin na kailangan for Region 8 is 37,168 units. Of this number, 22,386 ay natapos na and awarded and occupied,” Del Rosario told CA members.
“Ang ginagawa ngayon ng NHA (National Housing Authority) ay 26,177 units and all these will be completed by 2021, your honors,” he added.
Asked what’s keeping them so long to finish the project intended to provide shelter victims of a typhoon seven years ago, Del Rosario said the NHA, an attached agency of the DHSUD, is depending on the budget being provided by the national government for any additional housing units.
“NHA comes in trickles, hindi naman isang bagsak para magpagawa ng housing projects in all areas,” he said.