Gov’t wants ‘Yolanda’ housing requirements processed in two months

MANILA, Philippines—Groups wanting to pursue resettlement projects in “Yolanda”-hit areas with the government will no longer have to wait for half a year with the implementation of Administrative Order (AO) No. 44.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Wednesday said that the AO will “streamline, coordinate and fast track the processes and requirements for the completion of permanent housing units” for the victims of the super typhoon from six months to only two months.

“Administrative Order No. 44 (s. 2014) aims to produce the needed clearance from all agencies within two months from the present six months by reducing the documentary requirements to a minimum as well as to waive the needed fees,” Coloma said in his supplement statement.

The AO was signed almost a month after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the country and left about a million houses damaged.

The government aims to build 200,000 permanent housing units for families living within the “Yolanda Corridor” or hazard-prone and unsafe areas.

An inter-agency technical working group will also be created by agencies under the resettlement cluster. The TWG will conduct inspections and resolve land issues in addition to establishing “special lanes” to aid the National Housing Authority and groups engaging in resettlement projects.

Coloma said the implementing rules and regulations of the AO will be issued by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation (OPARR), headed by Secretary Panfilo Lacson.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, chaired by Vice President Jejomar Binay, was designated as lead agency.

Under the new timeline, agencies that take about a month to release a permit or clearance, will have to go about the same process for two to three days. Those who take months should take about 10 to 15 days only.

On the other hand, the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Certificate of Tax Exemption for Socialized Housing Projects should be released in a month’s time, as opposed to the current system of six months to two years.