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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Friday, October 27, 2017
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MANILA – Three Ilonggo lawmakers were recognized for their key role in providing houses for the urban poor.
The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) honored Sen. Franklin Drilon, Rep. Jerry Treñas (Iloilo City) and Rep. Richard Garin (Iloilo, 1st District) as “urban poor champions” during the Iloilo Urban Poor Summit at the Iloilo Convention Center on Thursday.
“Iloilo-based urban poor groups are honoring their homegrown solons for their unwavering support for the cause of public mass housing not only in Iloilo but for the rest of the nation,” said PCUP chairman Terry Ridon.
Ridon acknowledged Drilon’s effort that led to the increase of the 2018 budget for the housing sector.
“No one has raised the crippling effect of slashing housing funds but him (Drilon),” said the PCUP chairman.
“As it is right now, our housing agencies are hard-pressed to solve the 2022 six million housing backlog,” he added. “Imagine how such efforts would be hindered by reducing instead of increasing the budget.”
Ridon agrees with Drilon’s analysis that housing projects have a “multiplier effect on the economy,” saying that decent shelter contributes to the well-being and lead to greater economic productivity.
Garin, on the other hand, has worked tirelessly in defending the budget of social development agencies, such as the PCUP and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said Ridon.
“Without him, the approval of the budget for social protection programs would have been delayed,” said Ridon, adding that the congressman supported the continuation of the DSWD sustainable livelihood program for marginalized communities.
“This program enables urban poor families to undertake enterprise opportunities and skills training to improve their [lives], and should definitely be continued.”
Treñas was cited for his local shelter action plans to support the Iloilo City urban poor communities.
“Congressman Trenas, even when he was city mayor, had vigorously supported PCUP housing distribution projects in Iloilo City,” said Ridon. “His support has benefited hundreds of urban poor families until today.”/PN
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