(Eagle News) – Vice-President Leni Robredo visited the Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office in Quezon City to make a courtesy call to INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo and discussed her plans on how to reduce the housing backlog in the country.
At the same time, Robredo expressed appreciation and admiration for the INC’s housing programs, saying she would want to visit one of the Church’s eco-farming and resettlement sites which would serve as an “inspiration” to her.
The Vice-President came early in the morning, Tuesday, (July 12) at the INC Central Office where she was received at the main Bulwagan hall by the INC Executive Minister.
Robredo noted that there were many INC brethren who were also there that morning to see Brother Eduardo, and that she appreciated she was given a chance to meet and talk with the INC Executive Minister again.
Her first courtesy call was in April this year, prior to the elections.
“Nagpapasalamat nga ako na nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na makausap (I am thankful that was I was given the opportunity to talk (to Brother Eduardo),” she said.
The INC Executive Minister receives brethren, including those from abroad, who would want to see him to air their concerns every Tuesday morning which is called “Balikbayan Day”
Robredo said her visit to Brother Eduardo is part of her efforts to reach out to the people.
“Sinabi naman po natin na (We told them that) if there is anything we can to help, nandito lang kami (we are just here),” she said.
The INC has several eco-farming and resettlement sites all over the country, such as in Yolanda-hit Leyte, in Agusan del Sur, and in the Mangyan community in Oriental Mindoro.
“Sabi ko nga gusto kong mabisita yung isa. (As I said, I want to visit one). Baka puedeng gawing inspirasyon. (It could serve as an inspiration),” she said.
Robredo said that she aims to reduce the 1.4 million housing backlog now that she has been appointed as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) by President Duterte.
She also wants to cut the red tape in all housing procedures.
Robredo, who attended her first cabinet meeting presided by the President on Monday (July 11) in Malacanang, said that she would also want to help the government in the campaign against illegal drugs and criminality.
In an interview after her courtesy call, Robredo said she had also discussed this with the INC Church administration, noting that all sectors, including churches, can help a lot in this campaign.