Strengthening its bid to reduce our country’s housing gap, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) pushed for the creation of a Local Housing Board (LHB) in every city or municipality in the Philippines.

                  In a meeting, Vice President and HUDCC chairman Jejomar C. Binay said that partnering with LGUs are necessary to fast-track the delivery of housing services to the people.

                  “The local governments are in the forefront of delivering housing services to their constituents.  Our role in HUDCC is to enable them to provide these services by orienting them on our housing programs and training them to facilitate the implementation of such projects in their areas,” Binay said.

                  The meeting was the first meeting of HUDCC since 2006 and likewise the first under the chairmanship of Vice President Binay.

                  The HUDCC also sought to generate alternative funds and additional resources by reviving a centralized housing fund, with Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and other Government Financial Institutions (GFIs). It also plans to engage rural banks and microfinance institutions to provide housing microfinance to help fund the resources needed to build more houses especially for the poor.

                  Similarly, the council sought to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and non-government organizations engaged in housing by providing appropriate incentives and assistance to facilitate project implementation.

                  Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and Congressman Rodolfo Valencia, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development also supported the initiatives of the Vice President for the housing and urban development sector, especially those requiring necessary legislation.

                  Vice President Binay welcomed the support of the legislators and expressed his confidence on the new thrusts for the housing and urban development sector.

                  “We appreciate the support of the Council members and we commit to enhance coordination and cooperation with you as we work together to reduce if not eliminate our country’s 3.6 million housing need,” he said.

                  Created under Executive Order No. 90 in 1986 by former President Corazon C. Aquino, the HUDCC serves as the highest policy-making body for housing and is tasked with coordinating the activities of the government housing agencies to ensure the accomplishment of the National Shelter Program.