DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño sign an agreement that will pave the way to the construction of houses for the former US naval base. (photo: DHSUD)
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will construct a mass housing project for employees and other workers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
“The development is tailored as a township, which will provide access to basic amenities and services and near the beneficiaries’ sources of livelihood,” said DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar.
The mass housing construction was formalized in an agreement signed by Acuzar and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño.
Acuzar explained that the location of the mass housing has full potential both for housing and livelihood for the beneficiaries, saying that the former US naval base's strategic location and infrastructures in place are necessary in the development of inclusive housing communities.
Under the agreement, the DHSUD will conduct orientation with SBMA, including its beneficiaries and other stakeholders, on the eligibility qualifications for the housing.
The department will also collate the list of potential beneficiaries from SBMA for social preparation, socioeconomic profiling and establishment of other social parameters.
The DHSUD will also assist the SBMA in complying with the necessary documents and coordination with Pag-IBIG Fund to facilitate housing loan take-out and will pay the corresponding interest subsidy for the project.
The SBMA, on the other hand, has the primary responsibility of identifying the land that is suitable and safe for housing in township development.
The SBMA is also tasked to comply with technical, financial and documentary requirements, permits and licenses as may be required in the full implementation of the project.
The SBMA is the operating and implementing arm of the Government of the Philippines for the development of the Subic Bay Freeport into a self-sustaining tourism, industrial, commercial, financial and investment center to generate employment opportunities.
For his part, Aliño expressed gratitude to the DHSUD for opening its doors to SBMA that will benefit the workers.