The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has given the go-ahead for P12.26 billion to be used for constructing residential buildings for informal settlers and providing housing assistance to calamity victims.

In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the DBM approved the release of a notice of cash allocation that enables the National Housing Authority (NHA) to cover the expenses for housing assistance. 

Of the allocated funds, Pangandaman said P12.059 billion will be designated for providing housing assistance to calamity victims (HAPCV).

Additionally, the remaining balance of P200 million will be utilized for constructing four units of five-storey, low-rise residential buildings in Region VI (Western Visayas), she said.

According to DBM, these buildings aim to accommodate and resettle informal settler families (ISFs).

Pangandaman stated that providing decent homes for Filipinos, particularly those affected by calamities, remains a priority for the Marcos administration.

"Housing remains a priority for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as he strongly believes in the necessity of providing decent homes for Filipinos, particularly those adversely affected by calamities,” the budget chief said.

The request for payments, which will be charged against previously released allotments, was supported by a list of Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) along with their respective amounts, fund utilization status, and finance accountability reports. 

The DBM has confirmed the completeness and accuracy of these documents.

The NHA is a state-owned company tasked with housing construction for low-income families. 

Operating under the administrative supervision of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), the NHA serves as both a production and financing entity for housing initiatives.