QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – The chairman of the House committee on Housing is studying the possible amendments to the General Appropriations Act to accommodate the order of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Kadamay group to stay in the government housing project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Cong. Albee Benitez said that amendments are needed in the GAA, or the national budget, because the existing housing projects already have beneficiaries. He said these housing units cannot be given to other beneficiaries without the requisite amendments.
“Bago magawa yun, kailangan munang amyendahan ang (GAA) dahil itong pondo na ginamit ay may intended beneficiary. Ito ay yung AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), hindi pwede ilipat without proper amendment,” he said.
Benitez said he had already talked with housing czar Leoncio Evasco Jr.,about the issue.
“Nagkausap kami ni Secretary Evasco. Babaguhin ang probisyon sa GAA para magawa ang mga plano ng gobyerno,” he said.
But Benitez clarified that the housing units cannot be given for free. He said the government housing under NHA are low-cost housing units for the poor, not free housing. (with a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)