THE Confederation of Homeowners Associations of Negros Occidental was launched Friday, January 20, in Talisay City, making it the first to be organized in Western Visayas, spurred by the Metro 3rd Balay Hilway Program of Third District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Benitez.

With the guidance, support and assistance of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) through its officer-in-charge for Homeowners Associations and Community Development Division in Region 6 Gelzar Almira, and facilitated by Metro 3rd Coordinator for Housing Andrew Peñalosa, the top officers of the duly registered homeowners associations of Silay City, Talisay City, Victorias City and Bacolod City were convened in a special meeting hosted by the Third District Congressional Office.

Rogelio Plaida of the Federation of Bacolod City HOAs was elected as president of the interim executive officers and board of directors.

Also elected were Roy Moraña of Silay Federation of HOAs , Vice-President; Juvy Cardinal of Victorias Federation of HOAs, secretary; Janette Ferrer (Victorias), Assistant Secretary; Junilo Padua of Talisay Federation of HOAs, treasurer; Renante Tabanquerao (Talisay), assistant treasurer; Marcelino Hinolan of Silay Federation of HOAs, auditor and Sonia Paviera (Silay), assistant auditor; and public information officers – Morena Gargarino (Victorias), Cheryl Moral (Talisay), Roberto Palcis (Silay), and Hazel Pat (Bacolod).

The Confederation will work on providing opportunities for access to more training programs for education, livelihood and other income-generating activities for communities of homeowners associations. It will also be a forum for stronger representation of the housing sector for policies and programs needing the intervention of government and other housing stakeholders.

Also present during the meeting were representatives of the local government housing offices led by – Noel Doloriac, Silay; Ana Dreyfus, Talisay; Maria Josefa Padernal, Victorias; and Ma. Luisa Esmeres, Bacolod.

The area coordinator for the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor (PCUP) Ely Doloso; and DHSUD-Western Visayas Housing and Homesite Regulation Officers Sheran Solis and Kenneth Warren also attended.