Arroyo to activate oversight panel on urban poor housing

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will activate a congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation of a law facilitating urban poor housing.

The Pampanga 2nd District congresswoman said there is a need to activate the oversight panel which was mandated under Republic Act No. 9207 or the National Government Center Housing and Land Utilization Act of 2003.

“When I was studying the law last night in preparation for the meeting today, nakita na meron pala oversight committee itong batas na ginawa noong panahon ko. Since meron pang nalalabing problema dito, sabi ko dapat i-constitute ang oversight committee,” she said in an interview during a consultation and medical mission at NGC West, Gilarmi Covered Court, Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

While most of the families in the village had already been awarded their own land titles, Arroyo said some problems still exist particularly reports of land-grabbing and failure in the reblocking of some properties.

“Halimbawa meron ngang land grabbing, may mga hindi natapos ang reblocking pero mga 90 percent is without problem. There’s 10 percent with a problem. Since meron pang nalalabing problema dito sabi ko dapat i-constitute ang oversight committee,” she stressed.

The new panel will conduct its first hearing on Monday, Jan. 21, to tackle the remaining problems of Brgy. Holy Spirit residents, Arroyo said.

Under RA 9207, the Oversight Committee will be led by the chair of the House environment and natural resources, who is currently Cebu Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa.

Quezon City  2nd District Rep. Winnie Castelo will be a member of the committee and will chair the sub-committee on the concerns of Brgy. Holy Spirit because he is the congressmen of the area. /je