Metro 3rd Balay Hilway advocacy pushed anew

Cong. Kiko Benitez pushed anew the pressing need to purposively move forward as one and with urgency in the journey towards attaining inclusive, sustainable and resilient housing and human settlement programs for the Third District, especially stressing that “there is so much to be done”.

Addressing the local chief executives and their respective housing and planning teams via zoom in the first Housing Coordination Meeting for 2022, hosted by the municipality of Murcia last January 13, 2022, Cong. Kiko thanked the body for continued support and cooperation in the effort to integrate housing development plans and programs under the Balay Hilway advocacy that he initiated, ensuring access to national agencies like the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation and non-government organizations .that provide aid to housing projects.

The meeting led by District Housing Coordinator Architect Andrew Penalosa and 3rd District Congressional Office Political Officer Galo Glino tackled the presentation and review of Operations Manual for Housing , identification of new priority sites for relocation of informal settler families for the year and sharing of best practices as well as problems in the implementation of housing projects in existing sites.

Habitat for Humanity representative Bonbon Neri updated the body on its priority program in Negros Occidental of providing assistance to local government units on how to access funds for site development for relocation and resettlement communities.
Status of damages to housing by Typhoon Odette as well as assistance and interventions for affected families were reported and updated.

The body was welcomed by Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas and Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura with members of the municipal council.
Participants were led by housing officers of Silay May Ann Barbasa, Atty. Pacifico Maghari of Talisay and Engr. Randy Gamboa of Murcia. Also present were Silay City Mayor Mark Golez and Mrs. Berni Rojas.*