ILOILO CITY,July 17 (PNA) – A total of 1,000 families living along the river banks and other danger zones in this city are recipients of the Php100 million fund from the Development Acceleration Program (DAP) of President Benigno Aquino III.
The amount was lobbied by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and coursed through the National Housing Authority (NHA) to start the construction of 1,000 housing units for informal settlers at adjoining barangays Camalig and Lanit in Jaro district.
The President visited the place and saw the colorful row houses last June 25, 2014 at the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase I that gave hope for decent homes to the landless settlers.
The total project cost is Php170 million that includes the DAP fund of Php100 million as approved by the President per memorandum order dated October 12, 2011 with special allotment release order on October 11, 2011 and NCA dated October 11, 011. The Php70 million balance was from the regular subsidy funds taken in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The Iloilo City government owned the 5.6 hectare lot of two parcels and house construction started in August 16, 2012 until June 24, 2014.
The cost recovery arrangement under a memorandum of agreement between the NHA, city government represented by city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and the office of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon was signed last May 3, 2012 for a total project cost of Php170 million for a term of 10 years interest-free, land development of Php46 million under a 50 percent NHA subsidy and 50 percent city loan; Php124 million for housing construction under a 75 percent subsidy and 25 percent city loan.
Start of loan repayment is not later than one year from completion of land development and housing construction. Aside from the houses with lofts are community facilities such as a multi-purposes center, covered court, health center and day care centers to be provided by the city government. (PNA)