RDC supports creation of housing dept.

THE Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 is supporting the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In a resolution passed during their full council meeting last Dec. 9, the RDC said the creation of the new department will be an answer to the need for a more coordinated and integrated policies and plans in addressing shelter needs of the country.

There are several government agencies, they said, that have distinct functions like the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-ibig Fund.

Once the housing and urban development department will be created, the RDC said all housing programs will be coordinated and properly monitored.

At present, there are eight proposed measures pending before the Senate and House of Representatives for the creation of the housing and urban development department.

These include Senate bills 37, 232, 952 and 1182 and House bills 449, 1518, 3639 and 1721.

These bills are still being reviewed by different committees of the Senate and House.

Last Nov. 29, the RDC’s Social Development Committee recommended to the full council to support the eight proposed legislative measures.

For several years, the committee said that the NHA, HLURB and Pag-ibig are just being coordinated by the HUDCC under the Office of the Vice President.

But HUDCC has no authority to issue a department order or a memorandum circular to promote housing programs in the country.

HUDCC was headed by then vice president Jejomar Binay from 2010 to June 2016 and by Vice President Leni Robredo from July 2016 until Dec. 5.

The agency is now headed by Leoncio Evasco Jr. after Robredo resigned.