Published February 22, 2019, 6:51 PM
By Ben Rosario

The House of Representatives has moved to exercise its oversight power in the implementation of three presidential decrees that guaranteed housing benefits to Metro Manila’s urban poor.

In House Resolution No. 2067, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez called for a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation on the implementation of Proclamation Nos. 96 (s. 2001) 518 (S. 1990) and 825 (S. 1996).

Benitez said former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development to lead the oversight inquiry, adding that authority was given to conduct hearings even during the legislative break.

Benitez, chairman of the housing and urban development panel, said Proclamation No. 96 declared the Parola Estate in Tondo, Manila “open for disposition to its actual occupants.”

Proclamation No. 518 issued in 1990 amended Proclamation NO. 2475 that declared several portions of land in Metro Manila, including West Rembo, Makati, open for disposition to bonafide residents and occupants of the said area.

On the other hand Proclamation 825 which amended Proclamation No. 843 reclassified the use of Tala Estate by the Departmnet of Social Welfare and Development in order to include socialized housing for the urban poor.

“To date, these proclamations are yet to be fully implemented and its qualified recipients have yet to enjoy the benefits they are supposed to received,’ said the senior administration lawmaker.

Benitez and Arroyo will lead the congressional hearing to be conducted on Tuesday in Tondo, Manila.

According to Benitez the objective of the congressional proceedings is to determine the hitches that slowed down or prevented the implementation of the said proclamation.

“We have to iron out kinks in the implementation of these housing directives.  The House will provide the needed legislative support to guarantee that the urban poor families will get the pledged housing benefit,” said Benitez.