MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Executive Order No. 159, October 12, 1999 ]

DECLARING MASS HOUSING AS CENTERPIECE PROGRAM OF THE ESTRADA ADMINISTRATION AND CONSTITUTING THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR MASS HOUSING

WHEREAS, under the “Erap Para sa Mahirap” vision of the Estrada Administration, the government identified poverty eradication as the central focus of all its development programs and interventions;

WHEREAS, the government recognizes that shelter is a basic need for which the poor, particularly in the urban areas, require assistance;

WHEREAS, in addition to direct provision of housing for the poor, mass housing projects also generate multiple economic benefits for the poor, such as provision of employment and promotion of entrepreneurial activities;

WHEREAS, housing projects can also be used to pump-prime the economy and stimulate the growth of various industries; and

WHEREAS, the government has identified mass housing as one of the major components of the Poverty Eradication Program of the Administration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by Law and the Constitution, do hereby order:

Section 1. Declaring Mass Housing As Centerpiece Program Of The Estrada Administration. In line with the pro-poor and pro-business orientation of the Estrada Administration, mass housing is hereby declared as a centerpiece program of the government. The Philippine Medium Term Development Plan shall be realigned to support this centerpiece program.

Section 2. Constitution Of The Presidential Commission For Mass Housing. To fastrack the implementation of mass housing projects, stimulate economic activity, and provide for the needs of the poor, there is hereby constituted a Presidential Commission for Mass Housing (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) to oversee the implementation of the centerpiece program.

1. Composition

The Commission shall be chaired by the President who shall also act as the “housing czar.” The Commission shall be co-chaired by the Presidential Adviser on Low-Cost and Open Market Housing and the Presidential Adviser on Socialized Housing, with the following as members:

a. Chairman, Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement

b. Chairman, House Committee on Housing and Urban Development

c. Chief Executive Officer, HLURB

d. President, NHMFC

e. President, HIGC

f. General Manager, NHA

g. Chief Executive Officer, HDMF

h. President, GSIS

i. Administrator, SSS

j. President, DBP

m. President, LBP

n. President, League of Governors

o. President, League of Cities

p. President, League of Municipalities

All government departments, agencies, bureaus and instrumentalities, including Government-Owned-and Controlled Corporations (e.g. PEA, BCDA, PNR, among others), implementing housing projects are directed to seek the clearance and approval of the Commission on their respective housing and related projects.

2. Functions. The Commission shall undertake the following:

a. Formulate the overall framework and implementation plan (to include targets and timetables) of the centerpiece program, including its components;

b. Plan and secure the necessary budgetary, technical and human resources support for the effective implementation of mass housing projects;

c. Formulate strategies and incentives to encourage private financial institutions to provide for the financial backbone of the centerpiece program;

d. Ensure speedy implementation of mass housing projects;

e. Identify major problem areas in the implementation of mass housing projects and undertake issue resolution as necessary;

f. Prioritize the provision of mass housing for the requirements of major infrastructure projects with right-of-way problems such as mass transit, railway, power, and similar projects;

g. Ensure speedy implementation of housing for teachers, police, armed forces, and government employees; and

h. Prepare and implement a communication plan to generate the support of the various stakeholders for the centerpiece program.

3. Secretariat. A full-time Secretariat shall be created to provide technical and administrative services to the Commission. The Chairman of the Commission shall likewise have a full-time Secretariat to be composed of personnel from the PMS and HUDCC.

The HUDCC shall provide staff support to the Presidential Adviser on Low-Cost and Open Market Housing and the Presidential Adviser on Socialized Housing. Administrative requirements such as budget, office space, office equipment, and the like shall be taken from the existing resources of HUDCC and other housing agencies. All housing agencies are hereby directed to provide assistance as may be needed.

Section 3. Assistance Of All Concerned Agencies. All concerned government agencies and local government units are hereby directed to extend their support and cooperation to the Commission.

Section 4. Reiterating The Role Of HUDCC. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 90 (s. 1986), HUDCC shall continue to focus on policy formulation and direction setting for the governments shelter program, while the Presidents/Chief Executive Officers of the key shelter agencies shall be responsible and accountable for the implementation of their respective housing programs and projects.1aшphi1

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary


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