AFP housing units offered to Balik Probinsya beneficiaries –DHSUD

Housing units originally intended for members of the uniformed services, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines , will now be offered to qualified beneficiaries of the "Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa" program.

In a statement on Sunday, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the housing units will be made through the National Housing Authority (NHA), which currently has an inventory of available housing units across the country. It did not specify how many were available.

"The DHSUD is all-out in supporting the Balik Probinsya program not only to decongest highly-urbanized cities but more importantly for the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities," said DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario.

"Through the NHA, we are ready to offer our available housing units to those who will decide to settle to the countryside and qualified to receive such assistance," he said.

The statement comes after President Rodrigo Duterte issued an Executive Order institutionalizing the Balik Probinysa program authored by his close ally Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

"The available units, located in various parts of the country, were originally intended for members of the uniformed services, particularly the AFP,"  the statement reads.

The Balik Probinsya measure calls for the establishment of a council that will be chaired by the Executive Secretary and vice-chaired by the Socioeconomic Planning Secretary.

This will then identify the necessary legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote regional development with local industries; food security and agricultural productivity; social welfare, health and employment; and infrastructure among the key areas of empowerment.

A similar program was implemented under former President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III designed to provide more opportunities for the urban poor.

According to the DHSUD, it has already some 2,289 housing units of the NHA in Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon for families affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News