To fast- track emergency assistance for housing for those affected by the recent flash floods and draw up a long-term resilient and safe housing or resettlement plans for informal settler families in the Third District of Negros Occidental, Congressman Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez hosted the first coordination meeting on housing and launched in the District one of his priority advocacies, “Balay Hilway ” seeking to interface national and local resources and efforts to finalize and consolidate shelter plans and resettlement action plans of all its local government units.

The participants – housing, social welfare and disaster & risk reduction management officers from the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, and the municipalities of EB Magalona and Murcia.

Held today, January 29, 2021 in Talisay City, Cong. Kiko who also chairs the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, brought together the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Joly Homes Foundation (JHF) to present various programs that address housing issues and concerns. Local executives of Victorias, EB Magalona, Silay, Talisay and Murcia, together with their respective administrators, housing officers, social welfare and development officers and disaster and risk reduction management officers joined in the discussion.

(left to right) Victorias Councilor Derek Palanca, Victorias Mayor Wantan Palanca, NHA Manager Engr. Alejandro Ongsuco, Cong. Kiko Benitez, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, EB Magalona Vice-Mayor Eric Matulac. and Talisay Executive Assistant Nicolai Jalandoni.

NHA District Manager for Negros Occidental Engr. Alejandro Ongsuco and his staff presented the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) and other NHA programs implemented in the Third District. DHSUD Regional Director for Region VI Atty. Melchor Calopiz and Eva Maria Marfil of the Public Housing and Settlements Division briefed participants on the Local Shelter Plan and the Local Housing Board. Both updated the LGUs of the status of their housing concerns. Joly Homes Foundation Executive Director Dr. Melissa Navarra introduced the JHF Resettlement Action Plan and how LGUs can be assisted. LGUs have been reminded to submit and updated an official masterlist of families eligible for emergency housing assistance, as well as an updated damage assessment report on the extent of damage to residential structures of families included in the masterlist. The blended conference, Cong. Kiko assured the participants, will be followed by more workshops so that plans and programs can be implemented soonest with closer coordination among all participants and guidance of the concerned agencies.*