PRESIDENT Aquino on Monday launched his flagship project–a housing program for soldiers and police–which he said is in fulfillment of a promise he made to them three months earlier.
Mr. Aquino launched and inspected the portion of the housing program in Bocaue, Bulacan, where 4,000 housing units are being built, some of which will be ready for occupancy next month.
“In July, I asked you to tell me your needs, and my administration will give it to you. In February, I said, we will provide you with housing. And now, on the 22nd of May, I am keeping my promise,” he said.
The President said that the housing project would allow qualified soldiers and cops to pay as low as P200 a month to own a house and lot, substantial savings compared to the average P3,000 monthly rent in Metro Manila.
The President said that the housing project would be complemented by other structures and amenities necessary for a “healthy community” such as a hospital, school, and adequate security.
“This is just the beginning. We will continue this project in the coming years. As I have repeatedly said: I don’t intend to bequeath to the next administration the problems that I had inherited,” he said in his speech at the housing site where he later inspected several model units.
Mr. Aquino said that while he expects the construction of only 20,000 housing units for the project, the National Housing Authority reported to him that 21,800 housing units would be constructed by Oct. 15, 2011 or six months after the project began in April.
Mr. Aquino said that he is “aware that no material goods can compensate” for the service being rendered by the soldiers and police personnel to the country.
“The only consolation that I can give you is to also work hard to provide you with all your due benefits. Let us put an end to the hardship and lamentation of those in need,” he said.
He said that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is pursuing reforms in the Armed Forces to ensure the judicious use of funds, and that at least P2 billion has been allotted for the PNP modernization program in 2011.
In his remarks PNP Chief Gen. Raul Bacalzo said that the housing project would help police personnel achieve their dream of having their own house and lot, especially as 6 out of 10 policemen have none.
AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said that the project would boost morale in the AFP ranks and further inspire them to be “bringers of peace” and “enablers of national development.”
The President signed Administrative Order 9 on April 11, 2011, creating the Armed Forces/National Police Housing Project to provide homes for qualified soldiers and policemen, and earmarked P4.2 billion for the construction of 20,000 housing units for the purpose.
The other AFP/PNP housing sites are in San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray in Bulacan, Baras and Rodriguez in Rizal, Calamba in Laguna, and Trece Martires and Gen. Trias in Cavite.
