MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo pointed out a “palakasan” scheme in housing programs of the government, citing how those with connections to government officials get prioritized.
“Talamak doon palakasan at karamihan daw sa nabibigyan ng pabahay, mga taga-munisipyo o mga dabarkads ni chairman, etc.,” Tulfo said during the Senate budget hearing of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Tuesday.
National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai however said the list of beneficiaries originally comes from local government units, while victims of natural calamities are validated by the Office of Civil Defense.
“Bina-validate lang po namin ito based sa hindi po sila nakaka-ulit, kumbaga hindi po sila nabigyan ng bahay before. But with regards to the original list, galing po yan sa LGU,” Tai added.
Tulfo pointed out the need for stronger vetting and monitoring process against these schemes.
“You have to have a system na para masiguro na itong mga taga-LGU na nagbibigay sa inyo ng listahan, hindi yun listahan na pabor sa kanila,” the lawmaker said.
Lawmaker questions credibility of housing agencies
NHA however vowed to coordinate with LGUs and other government agencies to strictly monitor lists of beneficiaries.
“We will strictly monitor po and sisiguraduhin po namin na hindi po nadadaan sa palakasan. Together with the other government agencies, sisiguraduhin po namin na talagang hindi na po makakakuha based sa palakasan,” Tai said.
"Dadaan po talaga sa very stringent process po ng NHA po ang pagpili ng beneficiaries," he added.
The proposed 2027 budget for the NHA is P2.274 billion which forms part of the broader budget of P5.498 billion for DHSUD and its attached agencies.
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