Senator Raffy Tulfo wants the government to tighten the screening of beneficiaries of public housing amid complaints of a “palakasan system” allegedly favoring municipal employees and people close to local officials.
During the Senate budget hearing of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its attached agencies Wednesday, Tulfo raised complaints that some beneficiaries of National Housing Authority (NHA) projects allegedly already own property or even vehicles.
He said some were reportedly included in housing lists because of their connections with mayors or barangay officials.
“Talamak daw ang palakasan system sa pamamahagi ng pabahay ng gobyerno. Kadalasan, ang mga nabibigyan ay bata-bata ni Mayor o dabarkads ni Chairman!” Tulfo said.
NHA General Manager Joeben Tai explained that the agency generally relies on beneficiary lists submitted by local government units or national government agencies for its housing projects, including resettlement programs and assistance for calamity victims.
Tulfo suggested that the NHA establish a dedicated unit that would independently check the qualifications of beneficiaries instead of relying solely on lists submitted by LGUs and other government agencies.
Tai agreed with the proposal.
Tulfo also told the NHA to strengthen monitoring to ensure that beneficiaries do not sell, transfer or rent out the housing units awarded to them.
Tai committed to tightening monitoring of the beneficiaries and the use of the housing units.IMT
