VOL. 15 NO.3 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT JULY - SEPTEMBER 2015

A million homes for the Filipino families. On October 15, 2015, the National Housing Authority marked its four decades of public service to the

homeless Filipino families. With a total of 1,053,070 families provided with housing units nationwide, the Authority throughout its 40 years prioritized the housing needs of informal settler families (ISFs), displaced communities in conflict areas, calamity survivors and indigenous groups.

Anchored on the theme, “Sama-Sama, Tulung-tulong, Programang Pabahay Ating Isulong”, the NHA celebrated this milestone in a month-long event, highlighting the glorious past and present accomplishments of the current Administration in the housing sector. Its forty years of providing safe, decent and affordable dwelling units was presented in a narrative of photographs depicting the plight of ISFs decades back and how the NHA developed, improvised and replicated successful housing strategies to rebuild illegal settlements to “new villages” and provide access for the families to acquire homes from different housing options extended by the government.

Corollary to this, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III was the Guest of Honor during the Gawad Parangal event at the Crossroad Center, Quezon City. He graced the recognition and honoring of NHA’s partners in its housing endeavors and awarded the winners with plaques of participation and cash prizes. The Gawad Parangal event recognized the efforts of organizations and groups of people who took part in the implementation of the government’s housing program and have aided former ISFs to become organized and empowered People’s Organizations (POs). Through the active participation of homeowners’ associations, Local Government Units (LGUs), and non-government organizations (NGOs), NHA’s relocation and resettlement processes were fast tracked and the convergence of agencies and its resources were maximized.

NHA is 40In this scenario, the Best Community, Most Outstanding Partner and recognition of past General Managers and Assistant General Managers were conferred.

To date, the NHA is vigorously implementing the five-year housing program for the Metro Manila ISFs living along danger zones, waterways, esteros and creeks. So far, some 62,087 families out of the 104,219 families have been resettled to their new units in 2 to 5 storeys Low-Rise Buildings (LRBs) constructed within their city of origin (in-city housing within NCR) while those who opted to move in off-city sites chose the housing units constructed in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Under the PNOY Administration, the NHA has been undertaking his flagship program for the uniformed men and women of the country and for this, the AFP/PNP Housing Program was established to provide housing for the low-salaried members of the AFP and PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire (BOF) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). A total of 57,328 units have been completed to date in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

True to its mandate, the NHA continuously extends assistance to calamity victims through the provision of house and lot packages or housing materials assistance (HOMA). Furthermore, ISFs affected by infrastructure projects in Metro Manila, LGU resettlement assistance, and settlements upgrading programs are also being undertaken by the Authority.

Under the leadership of former NHA General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz, now Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson, the NHA reached its highest production accomplishment in the number of units constructed and families relocated. His former Chief-of-Staff Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan is now the new NHA General Manager. Pleased with this accomplishment, President Aquino raised the NHA’s anniversary bonus from Php 3,000.00 to Php 10,000.00.

One month after Vice President Jejomar Binay resigned as President Benigno S. Aquino’s cabinet member and as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson in June 2015, the President now appointed National Housing Authority General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz as the new HUDCC Chair, effective August 20, 2015.

Atty. Cruz was NHA’s 10th General Manager from August 2010 to August this year. During his term, the President’s flagship project, dubbed as the AFP/PNP Housing Program was implemented. Two phases comprise this housing program which aims to provide permanent housing units to low-salaried personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). The NHA’s significant achievements under Atty. Cruz’ leadership also includes the housing program for Informal Settler Families (ISFs) living along danger areas in Metro

Manila (In-City Low-Rise Buildings and Off-City Row House Development) where resettlement/ relocation sites have been deployed in the National Capital Region and other regions from Luzon to Mindanao.

Atty. Cruz formally took his oath of office on August 25, 2015. As the new HUDCC Chair, he will be the head of the Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs) composed of the Housing and Urban Development

Pres. Aquino appoints new HUDCC Chair; NHA GMCoordinating Council, National Housing Authority, Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF/PAG-IBIG), Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).

Meanwhile, the position vacated by Atty. Cruz will now be held by his former Chief-of-Staff Atty. Sinforoso Ramos Pagunsan. The 49-year old Ateneo de Manila Bachelor of Laws graduate and 1989 bar examinations ninth placer served as NHA’s Chief-of-Staff from August 2010 until his appointment as the new GM. GM Pagunsan also served as a Court Attorney at the Supreme Court from 1989 to 1993 and as an Assistant Professorial Lecturer at the De La Salle University from 1994 to 2007. Atty. Pagunsan officially took his oath of office last August 25, 2015 and will serve until the end of President Aquino’s administration. His Chief-of-Staff will be Atty. Rudolph S. Capuchino, who has been NHA’s Legal Consultant.

The present meets the past. NHA GM Atty. Pagunsan awards plaque of recognition to former NHA General Managers and Assistant General Managers. (Photos by Danilo O. Zaleta)

New HUDCC Chair Atty. Chito M. Cruz chats with Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III during the NHA Anniversary celebration at the Crossroad, Quezon City.

2 KANLUNGAN

NEWS

While celebrating the Authority’s half year accomplishments, the Management headed by then GM Atty. Chito M. Cruz, participated in by AGM Froilan R. Kampitan and department managers, Area Management Officers (AMOs) and Regional Managers conducted the 2015 Mid-year Performance Assessment wherein they discussed major catch-up plans and programs and replanned its targets for the current year. Held at the Subic Bay Peninsular, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, the two-day assessment on July 29-30, 2015 was a success in revising the new targets for the second half of 2015.

Prior the said 2015 Midyear Performance Assessment and Replanning, the different AMOS were given a day to present the status of housing programs implemented in their areas, including programs under Yolanda, Pablo, Zamboanga siege, ISFs in Metro Manila Danger areas, and RAPLGU. Production starts, housing completions, budget utilization, internal and external issues encountered in the performance were also shared and discussed during the part 1 and 2 of the Mid-Year Assessment held last July 8-10 and 15-16 at the NHA Operations Center.

The Mid-Year Planning allowed the Management together with different AMOS, operating units, staff department and units to review and re-plan this year’s targets and address related issues. Other reports covered the June 2015 Performance Scorecard Ratings, including Quality Management System Status, Rationalization Plan, DBM External Requirements and Gender and Development (GAD) updates.

From these report and sharings, the General Manager’s instructions were developed and consolidated by the Corporate Planning Office, headed by Ar. Marissa B. Maniquis.

NHA Mid 2015 Assessment Held

This time, it is the NHA employees’ turn to personally experience the use and proper installation of AITECH Accredited Technologies. Held last May 11 to 15 and June 22 to 24, 2015, the two-phased extensive Hands-on-Training aimed to guide current and future users of the AITECH technology.

During the workshop, training proponents Ecostrong Builders Corporation, Permaforms Incorporated and Nedsteel Construction and Development Corporation demonstrated the proper methodologies utilized in the actual installation of walls, roofing sheets with J-bolt, and doors and windows. These construction materials and technologies were supplied by the aforesaid training along with United Steel Technology Corporation and Noellouise Custom Furniture and Fit-Outs Corporation/Titan Doors. Robig Builders Development Corporation, on the other hand, provided labor for the roofing installation during the completion of the 4.00 x 4.00, model unit constructed at the NHA Compound.

The technical staff participants from the Visayas Management Office, the Mindanao

AITECH Hands-On Training, A SuccessManagement Office, the Southern Luzon-Bicol Office, Project Operations Support Service Office, Housing Technology Development Office, and the General Services Department attended the first phase of the Hands-On Training entailing a five-day lecture from the technical providers of AITECH technologies. The second phase of the training was held in NHA Leyte-Samar Project Office in Calanipawan Road, Sagkahan, Tacloban City, in collaboration with Nedsteel Construction and Development Corporation, Permaforms Inc., United Steel Technology Corporation and Greenway Toilet Solutions.

NHA architects and engineers throughout the duration of the trainings raised queries and exchanged insights on the use of these technologies, appreciating efforts on personnel trainings they wished for similar opportunities in the future.

Some of the technologies used in the demonstration are already being utilized in NHA Yolanda Rehabilitation Projects in

Community partners of some NHA projects were awarded as Kabalikat sa Pabahay of NHA in the 2015 Housing Fair. (Photos by Danilo O. Zaleta)

ISFs along Radial Road 10 are relocated to NHA sites. (Photos courtesy of Dagat-Dagatan Development Project Office)

A peaceful and humane relocation and clearing operations were successfully conducted by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the affected barangays of the Radial Road 10 (R-10) in Navotas City.

The Radial Road 10 (R-10) is one of the DPWH concreting and widening of Road Right of Way (RROW) projects traversing two cities, Manila and Navotas. The barangays affected by the project in Navotas City are Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) which was cleared in October 2013, Barangay North Bay Boulevard North (NBBN) with 933 Informal Settler Families (ISFs) and 406 structures, and Barangay Bangkulasi with 81 ISFs and 37 structures. The Local Inter-agency Committee (LIAC) for the project was created to oversee the process of relocation and compliance to Republic Act 7279 Sec. 28 on Eviction and Demolition.

Due to the presence of an opposing People’s Organization called Purok R-10 Neighborhood Association advocating for the realignment and In-City/ Near-City Resettlement, the implementation of relocation and the DPWH project has been delayed for years. But recently, a voluntary relocation of 261 ISFs in Barangay North

933 ISFs in Navotas Relocated

the Visayas. The Accreditation of Innovative

Technologies for Housing (AITECH) is a system for accrediting innovative technologies for housing. It was conceived as a result of the numerous building technologies that have been developed in the last few years to unify non-traditional or alternative material and systems. The NHA is a member of the AITECH committee which reviews and acts as an approving body for applications for accreditation of innovative technologies appropriate for housing. This is headed by HUDCC Chairperson, while the NHA acts as the Secretariat. Partner proponents of this Hands-on training belong to this list of AITECH Accredited Technologies.

The Hands-On Training Program is one of the training modules initiated and conducted by the Housing Technology Development Office, headed by its Department Manager, Ar. Maria Benita O. Regala, fuap, ASEAN Architect.

Bay Boulevard North was conducted from September 2014 to June 2015. By virtue of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) granted to DPWH by the Navotas City Local Housing Board, involuntary relocation and clearing operations were implemented through the assistance of NHA Resettlement Development Services Department’s (RDSD) Wilfredo Cariquitan and his team from June 8 to 29, 2015.

Prior the said scheduled demolition in June, the Purok R-10 Neighborhood Association came up with a People’s Plan, where they will acquire a property in Norzagaray, Bulacan through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) with the Federation for the Development of the Urban Poor (FDUP) as their mobilizer. The People’s Plan is supported by the representatives of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). With this development of the People’s Organization, the NGAs involved and the mobilizer requested deferment of schedules of the forced demolition. However, the forced demolition was implemented as planned, without any untoward incidents.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) hosted the 10th Housing Fair which opened on October 15, 2015 with the theme “Disenteng Pabahay, Maunlad na Buhay”, at the Mega Trade Hall 1 of SM Megamall. The event ran until Sunday, October 18, 2015.

Aimed to provide opportunities for Filipinos to acquire a decent and low-cost housing, the three-day Fair featured housing innovations and other products which were exhibited by participating agencies. This was an opportunity for homebuyers, brokers and investors as well the buying public to check out the latest available real estate properties in the market

HUDCC was joined by its Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs), namely, Pag-IBIG Fund, Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), and Social

Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC). The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Social Security System (SSS) as well as leading private developers and companies from partner industries participated in the Fair.

Now on its tenth year, the Fair continued to offer acquired assets of government agencies at big discounts and new units of private developers at affordable prices.

The highlight of the Opening Ceremony was messages from the new HUDCC Chairperson, Atty. Chito M. Cruz, former General Manager of the NHA. A photo exhibit showcasing the previous Housing Fairs was also featured.

Throughout the three-day event, briefing on the programs of the government housing agencies was conducted as well as product presentations by select exhibitors. An On-the-Spot Painting Contest focusing on the theme of the Housing Fair was also held among Fine Arts students from 8 pre-selected colleges and universities.

“Disenteng Pabahay, Maunlad na Buhay”

NHA architects and engineers train for AITECH installation.

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2015 3

Manggahan Floodway, Pasig. On August 27, 2015, President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected the Manggahan Residences, a Low Rise Building (LRB) Project of the National Housing Authority under the supervision of the new Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Atty. Chito M. Cruz. This project is under the Php 50 billion fund the President allocated for the Metro Manila informal settler families (ISFs) living along danger zones, rivers, creeks and waterways. As a five-year housing program (2012-2016), the PNOY fund will provide housing to a total of 104, 219 ISFs from the Metro.

The Manggahan Residences Phase 1 is home to 120 former ISFs living along the Manggahan Floodway. They are members of the Alliance of People’s Organization Along Manggahan Floodway (APO-AMF), a People’s Organization responsible for lobbying for a near city relocation and creating the People’s Plan for their members. Composed of 11 organizations from three barangays of Rosario, Maybunga and Sta. Lucia, all from Pasig City, the member-families benefitted from the Php 50 Billion PNOY housing fund.

The project is in partnership with APO-AMF and is actively participated in by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Local Government of Pasig (LGU Pasig), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Community Organizing Multiversity (COM), other agencies, and civil society groups.

Located at the MMDA Depot, Eastbank Road, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, the Manggahan Residences 1 is realized through the people’s plan of APO-AMF. This is where their group is in partnership with the NHA in planning strategies and approaches for housing development, designing their building, identifying their site and lobbying for the government’s approval of their near-site LRBs.

As part of the celebration of their new homes, the residents planned for a formal inauguration and blessing of their units. Fr. Fernandez Mendoza, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Priest led the blessing of Manggahan Residences 1. Pasig City Mayor Ma. Belen A. Eusebio, new Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Atty. Chito M. Cruz, HUDCC Usec. Cecilia S. Alba, new National Housing Authority (NHA) Acting General Manager Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan, AGM Froilan R. Kampitan, Pasig City District Representative Roman T. Romulo, MMDA Chairman Frances Tolentino, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Corazon Soliman, Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairman and CEO Hernani Panganiban, Urban Poor Associates Executive Director Dennis Murphy, COM Executive Director Lucila Malibiran and APO-AMF President Bernard Belmonte graced and joined the ceremonial signing of support and commitment between partner organizations.

780 more LRB unit awardees are waiting for their relocation once the Phase 2, with 360 units and Phase 3 with 420 units of the Manggahan Residences are constructed.

Good News in the Regions

PNOY Visits Manggahan LRB ResidencesPresidential encounter. A unit beneficiary of Manggahan Residences meets the President and HUDCC Chair Atty. Cruz right at her new dwelling place. (Photo by Danilo O. Zaleta)

A Memorandum of Agreement between NHA and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was signed and witnessed by Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Chairperson of Housing and Urban Development Committee on 7 April 2015 to pilot the NHA-DSWD CBLA program in select NHA project sites, namely; Northville Projects in Valenzuela City (Communal and Wall Gardening), San Jose del Monte Heights in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan (Bamboo Planting and Communal Gardening), Southville 8 Housing Projects in Rodriguez, Rizal (Vetiver Planting and Processing of Dry Leaves into other by-products).

The NHA-DSWD CBLA is designed to be a short-term employment program for select NHA housing beneficiaries for the development, rebuilding or protection of physical and natural assets to increase productivity for profitable and sustainable livelihood projects. The Program is also a capacity-building strategy to prepare the beneficiaries in choosing their livelihood that will lead to a established micro-enterprise activities. continued on page 6

The women of Valenzuela enjoy the company of fellow CBLA beneficiaries working on their urban gardening project.

CBLA Program Benefits NHA Folks

It is now a possible dream….Owning a housing unit through People’s Plan is not far behind nowadays… Let us learn from the experiences of the Alliance of People’s Organization Along Manggahan Floodway (APO-AMF), which for six years worked their way through accessing government funds to build their in-site housing and relocation program – the Manggahan Residences 1.

Building the People’s PlanThe constant threat of demolition led the

Informal Settler Families (ISFs) living along the waterways of Manggahan Floodway to organize themselves as APO-AMF, a Peoples’ Organization (PO). They conducted community meetings and encouraged members to join their cause, even through the wee hours of the morning, facilitating information drives.

A Toast to APO-AMF’sPeople’s Plan Journey

As a PO, they raised their own funds through ticket sellings, carollings, and personal contribution or “butao” from its members. Now that the group is organized, it was able to receive funds from partner non-government organizations which empowered them with trainings on housing rights, seminars on People’s Planning and estate management. Capacity-building activities such as these honed their sense of leadership and fast tracked organizing the PO and their People’s Plan.

APO-AMF to further widen their partnerships and movement, also climbed their way for a formal recognition and membership on the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC), pointing out that it was their issue the LIAC was discussing, thus their involvement must be felt. “Ang aming kinababahala, ang pinag-uusapan nila sa LIAC ay isyu ng demolisyon sa area namin. Kami ang apektado rito kaya kailangan naming malaman kung ano ang pinag-uusapan at kung ano ang parte namin, kung ano ang dapat gawin,” Bernard Belmonte, APO-AMF President expressed. Soon enough, the APO-AMF was granted LIAC membership, and has one vote in the LIAC proceedings.

Their early collaboration with the NHA happened when the PNOY Administration allocated funds for the relocation of ISFs living along danger zones, creeks, esteros and waterways. A total of Php 50 Billion will be spent on the relocation of 104, 219 ISFs from the eight priority Metro Manila waterways. Construction of Manggahan Residences Phase 1, 2 and 3 is charged here, a couple of LRB constructions within Metro Manila and row houses in off-city sites.

For the 900 member-APO-AMF, they lobbied to the local government unit (LGU), NHA and other LIAC members for a near-site LRB. They also conducted their own land research for possible site and presented their position paper to the LIAC. “Siyempre nagsimula naman ang lahat sa Php 50 Billion fund ni PNOY. Tapos nagbigay kami ng position letter sa iba’t ibang grupo. Nagsagawa rin kami ng mga advocacy activities at pinagpatuloy namin ang pakikipag-usap at negotiation sa government, lalo na sa NHA,”shared Ms. Jenilyn C. David, Secretary General ng APO-AMF.

Concrete actions lead to concrete results.From eleven (11) member organizations

from three (3) barangays of Sta. Lucia, Maybunga and Rosario, all in Pasig City to one established and strengthened APO-AMF, the Manggahan Residences 1 at Manggahan Depot came to life. Learning the ropes of site identification and development, relocation processes and guided by their housing rights concretized the APO-AMF’s People’s Plan.

“Sa tulong po ng aming NGO partner na Co-Multiversity (COM), tinuruan nila kami kung paano gumawa ng People’s Plan, magplano ng may pagkakaisa, action-reflection-action sessions, leadership trainings, na siya rin po naming ibinahagi sa aming miyembro sa ibaba, amin pong napagtagumpayan ang aming mithiin,” Bernard narrated.

He further explained, “Dahil ang isyu talaga namin ay demolition, lahat ng iyon ay pinag-aralan namin. Ano ba ang parte namin

sa demolition? At sa aming pag-aaral, may karapatan pala kaming ipaglaban ito, hindi sa away o sa pag-ra-rally sa daan, kundi sa pakikipagnegosasyon.”

Hearing from LRB beneficiaries, “Masaya rin po kami sa mga consultation namin with NHA na ‘nung una talagang focus ng government ay off-site relocation. Pero dahil napakinggan kami sa ganito, masaya po kami kasi siyempre mas maliit na ang problema. Na ang transition at adaptation kasi ay andito ka lang sa city. Iyong mga basic services, andito lang kaagad…” Building Representative Madeleine A. Suarez recounted.

Hope for more POs to access Php 50 Billion under People’s Plan. For POs continuously experiencing the

challenges of organizing a People’s Plan, Bernard has this to say, “Ang mababanggit ko lang sa ibang mga katulad namin, huwag silang mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang bawat tinatahak nating obligasyon, ay napakahirap tahakin bago mo makuha iyong tagumpay. Pero sasabihin ko na sana huwag silang magsawa. Dahil panindigan nila ang pangalan nila bilang lider sa ilalim ng People’s Plan. ”

According to Bernard, APO-AMF’s dreams include, “Ang pangarap ko, hindi lang dito sa amin, matapos ang lahat ng aming struggles. Gagawin namin lahat nang magagawa namin para sa sinasabing magandang imahe ng in-city relocation. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa.”

Despite the long process of grassroot-government project development of People’s Plan, Jennilyn still appreciates NHA, “Hindi kami napapagod na kahit sa pakiramdam namin ay nabibigo na kami. Kasi alam namin na ang NHA, na aming partner ay talagang susuportahan ang aming gusto na LRB”.

Madeleine continued, “Kapag ganitong project, ang isip ng ibang tao ay magugulo rin lang, kaya more on orientation kami sa mga beneficiary ng mga dos and don’ts para sa mga unit owners.” She further said, “Pinapaintindi namin sa bawat isa na importante ang disiplina. Kung ano iyong kultura sa pinagmulan namin, iba na rito. Kumbaga, itataas na namin dito sa Manggahan Residences 1. Hindi na kami dating iskwater, kami ay nandito na ngayon sa isang pormal at maayos na tirahan.” People’s Plans are formed by People’s Organizations, with or without the support of NGOs or NGAs, and refers to a community development plan, having undergone a process of consultation with and endorsement by the beneficiaries, which contains a site development plan and may include non-physical development such as livelihood, self-help development and capability building trainings, among others.

Manggahan Residences, MMDA Depot, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.

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FEATURE

October 2015 marked the 40th year of the National Housing Authority’s dedicated service to our homeless brothers and sisters from the marginalized sector of the society. Anchored on the theme “Sama-sama, Tulung-tulong, Programang Pabahay Ating Isulong”, the NHA celebrated this milestone in a month-long event highlighting the glorious past and the present accomplishments of the current administration in the housing sector.

The Anniversary Kick-off started on October 8, 2015 with the opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of a Photo Wall by the f.11 Camera Club at the NHA Lobby which featured candid shots of the employees during their photo shoots for the NHA Souvenir Program Magazine. This was followed by the opening of the Photo Exhibit which was undertaken by the Information Division of the Office of the General Manager at the lobby of the HTREX Building. The Photo Exhibit, entitled “Honoring the NHA General Managers” showed the glorious past of the Authority through its ten General Managers and their flagship projects, mounted on photo panels surrounding the venue. It was also during the Photo Exhibit that the commissioned portraits of then NHA General Manager and now Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Atty. Chito M. Cruz and present NHA General Manager Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan were unveiled to the audience. Upstairs, panels from the TS Yolanda Exhibit concluded last year were also put up.

The said events were attended by guests from the media including the PTV4, UNTV, Malaya/Business Insight, the Manila Times, Radio Inquirer, DZBB, DZRH, DZMM, and the NHA employees who could not contain their joy and excitement upon viewing their photos.

October 12 to 16, 2015 witnessed a week-full of events and colorful parades enjoined by the NHA employees. This was started by a Thanksgiving Mass and the conferment of the 2015 Loyalty Awards at the Multi-Purpose Center. This was followed the next day by the Awarding of Winners of the 2015 Logo and Souvenir Cover Design Contests which were launched on April to May of this year to come up with a winning logo for the celebration of the Authority’s 40th Anniversary. The grand prize and consolation prize winners were given plaques of recognition and cash prizes. The winning anniversary theme was also conferred after. The 2014 Honor Awards, attended by the awardees, the PRAISE Committee, headed by Ms. Elsie B. Trinidad, NHA GM Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan, and AGM Froilan R. Kampitan likewise followed the ceremony. This week also featured tiangge stalls where select products from the NHA beneficiaries were sold at low prices.

On October 15, the Gawad Parangal: Kabalikat sa Pabahay was held at the Crossroad Center in Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City. The occasion paid tribute to the contributions of the NHA’s partners: communities and agencies or entities in its 40 years of providing housing services to the homeless and underprivileged Filipino families. The promotion of gender in housing service delivery by individuals, groups, or institution was the main highlight of this

event as it is openly serving its prospective clients and beneficiaries annually. The program was participated by seven (7) finalists for the Best Communities and nine (9) for the Best Partners from all the Area Management Offices (AMOs). The past NHA General Managers, some of them were represented by their children or wives and NHA Assistant General Managers were also recognized for their invaluable contributions to the Authority’s success in fulfilling its mandate of providing decent, safe, and affordable homes to the low-income families. Hailed as winners were the Abuyog St. Francis Xavier Cooperative Housing (AFCCO) from Abuyog, Leyte and the United Southville Seven Ville Homeowners’ Association, Inc. from Calauan, Laguna.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III also graced this year’s event as the Guest of Honor. The President commended the Authority’s efforts in housing the marginalized sector and lauded the good performance of the NHA under his Administration. Corollary to this, the President assured the NHA employees of an additional Php 7,000 to the CSC-approved Php 3,000 anniversary bonus, making a total of Php 10,000.00 each for every employee. The night was capped off with a dance party rendered by the Hotdog band who performed their all-time favorite hits like Bongga Ka ‘Day, Perstaym, and Manila.

Trailing behind the success of the Gawad Parangal were the colorful Cultural Parade and Presentations the next day, spearheaded by the Anniversary Sub-Committee on Cultural Presentations. The day started off with a Fun Walk/ Parade of the departments around the NHA grounds. The Northern and Central Luzon Area Management Office (NCLAMO) bagged the first prize for the said parade. After this, a Walk of Honor and Victory was conducted where

employees from the Main Office and the Regions participated and showcased their costumes. In the afternoon, the NHA Multi-Purpose Center became alive with booms of laughter, screams, and cheers from the audience when the most awaited part of the day started. A total of nine (9) groups showed their talents and creativity with their cultural presentations. Employees from the regions also came and performed along their respective Area Management Offices (AMOs). The show was witnessed by the NHA GM Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan, AGM Froilan R. Kampitan, resident COA Auditor Resurreccion Quieta, Chief-of-Staff Atty. Rudolph S. Capuchino, Ms. Gina Sanchez, and others.

The Financial Support Group, consisted of the Financial Management Department (FMD), Treasury, and the Accounting Departments was hailed the winner of the Cultural Presentation, while the Visayas Area Management Office (VAMO) and the Northern and Central Luzon Area Management Office (NCLAMO) were the competition’s second and third prize winners, respectively. The competition was concluded with a raffle for the regular employees and the emergency-hired (EH) personnel and a dance party where a band performed and rendered songs.

While the employees were enjoying the Cultural Presentations at the NHA Main Office, the 10th Housing Fair was also held at the Megatrade Hall 1 of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on the same day. The three-day event which started on October 16 and ended on October 18 was participated by the Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs) along with government agencies like the Social Security System (SSS), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and other private companies and organizations which were selling house and

Celebrating 40 Years with You…

Program Highlights. The NHA employees, Management, and the Anniversary Committee enjoying the events of the month-long milestone anniversary celebration.

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2015 5

Celebrating 40 Years with You…

For five years that I have been with the Authority, I have met people whose first career is with NHA and who have either retired or looking forward to retiring from NHA. They have been passionate with their work and steadfast in fulfilling the goals and mission of providing affordable housing and sustainable communities to our low income brothers and sisters.On our 40th year, we draw strength and inspiration from the experiences of

our officers and employees who keep on toiling despite adversities from various forces. Amid the tough challenges, we continue to deliver the mandate that is expected of us.We look back with a sense of achievement as we hail progressive communities that

decades ago were nascent (if not struggling) NHA projects. We cite as examples Dasmariñas Bagong Bayan Housing Project, GMA Bulihan Housing Project and North Sapang Palay Housing Project that started as humble NHA resettlement sites. We are confident that even as some communities we are building in our off-city sites may be far from the present urban centers, that will not be the case in due time as the current trend is to build new centers of trade and commerce outside of Metro Manila, supported by rail and road networks.The achievement of NHA would not have been possible without the collective

effort of all our partners – the government, private sector, NGOs, and the communities we serve.Above all, we give credit to our own officials and employees who do not waver

in their belief that NHA is a relevant organization with an important task to accomplish. You are the foundation and pillar of our organization.

Congratulations on Our 40th Year of Service!

GM’s DESKAmid

the tough challenges, we continue to deliver the

mandate that is expected

of us.

“

“

lots and other acquired properties. NHA GM Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan visited the NHA Booth and headed the awarding of the NHA’s Best Communities. AITECH-Accredited technologies were also awarded certificates of recognition by NHA Housing Technology Development Office (HTDO) Manager, Ar. Ma. Benita O. Regala.

On the second day of the Housing Fair, an On-the-Spot Painting Contest which was participated by 22 Fine Arts students from 8 universities and colleges in the Metro was conducted by the NHA’s Information Division-Office of the General Manager. The participants were given 4 hours to create their masterpiece depicting this year’s theme, “Disenteng Pabahay, Maunlad na Buhay”. The contest was judged by artists Mr. Eufrocino “Zin” Gamboa, Mr. Danilo S. Pangan, Mr. Conrad de Leon and Engr. Juanito Eje from the PAG-IBIG Fund. Bagging the first place was a student named John Nikko S. Pelaez from the University of the East. Trailing behind were University of the Philippines-Diliman student Joseph Luigi Almuena and another student from the University of the East, John Allan Paul R. Calalo.

After a week of fun-filled activities, the following week, October 19 to 23, was dedicated to nurturing the health and wellness of the NHA employees. Activities and Lectures on Wellness were conducted at the NHA Operations Center on October 20 and 21, while discounted Medical Exams were made available to the employees on October 22 and 23 at the Medical Clinic. Meanwhile, free eye diagnostics and discounted eye glasses services were rendered by the Sarabia Optical the whole week at the lobby of the HTREX Building. The MOVE also conducted Bingo Socials at the NHA Lobby on October 21. NHA employees won cash prices and clearly enjoyed the week’s activities.

Capping off the month-long celebration of the 40th Anniversary was the launching of the GAD Book by the Gender and Development headed by Community Relations and Information Operations Department (CRIOD) Manager, Ms. Ivanswenda V. Marquez. This was held on Tuesday, October 27. The Awarding of Winners of the 2015 NHA Sports Tournament was also held at the NHA Lobby on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Truly, this year’s milestone anniversary will be something that every NHA employee will always remember. Forty years of dedicated service to the Filipino family is no easy feat, and being part of this is something that we, the NHA employees, are all proud of.

Happy 40th Anniversary, National Housing Authority!

Happy Milestone Year to all our brothers and sisters from all NHA Offices!

Long live NHA! - Donna Mae B. Huarde

Photos by f.11 Camera Club, Raul V. Wycoco, Danilo O. Zaleta and Noel Ramirez

6 KANLUNGAN

FEATUREWhat makes people keep their jobs? Money? A

meaningful job? Self-fulfillment? Or the challenging working environment? Hear from these three friends who have grown with the Authority as they all celebrate forty long years of public service.

The era was in the mid-1970s when the government addressed the plight of informal settler families (ISFs) in Tondo, Manila - the biggest slum community in Asia. Ms. Reggie Redolla-Alfeche, Ms. Zeny Galvan-Galvez, and Ms. Mel dela Cruz Romero were the NHA’s ground workers who organized community meetings, seminars, and trainings on livelihood family planning, health and nutrition, pest and garbage management. They were those who personally dealt with the concerns of the beneficiaries affected by the reblocking, demolition and relocation to core shelters.

The so-called dirty works in relocating families were theirs, which included census validation, encounters with recalcitrant ISF leaders, shooting arrows and crawling and hiding under bridges became norms in keeping themselves safe. For them, these occasions were a normal part of their job as community development workers and organizers.

Tondo was their official “playground” which challenged their creativity, innovation and development of strategies in order to deliver the Authority’s thrusts and directions. These three sexagenarians are now the living historians of NHA’s best years worth four decades back. A live action, a lived experience since it was their first job as Social Workers from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

On committing to one’s work. “Ang mga staff noon ay committed sa kanilang mga

trabaho, takot mawalan ng trabaho. Siguro kasi dahil iyon kay General Manager Gaudencio Tobias (a retired military general) – iyong training at disiplina niya sa mga empleyado. Kung makita mo ang level of commitment niya, parang nagpa-pass-on at nahahawa niya ang mga empleyado niya sa baba. Saka siyempre first work mo, kailangan pakitang gilas ka. Pakita mo kung paano mo madedeliver iyong expectation ng boss mo. Isa pa dala-dala mo ang pangalan ng opisina. Kaya very proud kami na nasa NHA office kami hanggang ngayon,” Ms. Galvez narrates her early years with the NHA.

“I really love working with people”, Ms. Mel exclaimed. But there was one occasion wherein she applied at the Ministry of Human Settlements because of boredom and issues concerning the Junior Professionals. But right after her interview, an office staff told her, “Bakit ka pupunta rito, delayed ang sweldo?” Di ko alam kung “demonyo” ba siya o kung ano, kaya nag-decide na ako to stick with NHA,” she continued.

This boredom was resolved when she was assigned to other projects. As a natural “adventurer” Ms. Romero found new heights in different NHA area assignments, “Ako naman kaya ako nagstay sa NHA kasi layas ako eh, adventurer. So in 1976 , four months lang ako sa Tondo, nag-transfer na ako sa main office. Tapos, every two years, pa-ikot-ikot na ako sa Sapang Palay as my first assignment, which was followed by assignments in Dasmarinas , Bagumbayan, Carmona then in CRIOD. Practically every two years, I moved from one assignment to another until my study with RPD from 1982-1991 in Iloilo projects up to SLB Palawan now.”

Tondo loyalist. Her decision to stay was anchored on the proximity of her

house to the place of her work. Also, the salary that NHA employees earned that time compared to the salaries of their friends from different professions was higher. For them, fate brought them to enroll in Social Work at the PLM and be part of NHA in October 15, 1975.

NHA employees who really went to the ground and organized groups of people have been instrumental in the

The one-year pilot implementation will be in four (4) batches where each batch will work for three (3) months period. A total of 2,763 select beneficiaries will benefit from the program pilot implementation who were selected according to the following qualifications: (1) NHA house and lot awardee with outstanding

from page 3... CBLA Program Benefits NHA Folks

achievement of ISFs’ longingness to own a house and lot. Ms. Galvez added, “hindi lang iyong mga individuals kundi iyong mga komunidad ang natutulungan namin. Na-empower din namin ang mga community associations sa pamamagitan ng mga community-based projects, pagkatuto nilang makipagnegotiate sa land owner, magdocument ng project, pagsasagawa ng bayanihan, at pag-access nila ng suporta mula sa mga mayors at congressmen.”

Observations on NHA Projects and itsbeneficiaries. Due to funding challenges and the continuous increase of

ISFs today, NHA’s holistic approach in its program delivery in its early years became limited to housing provision and access to livelihood activities offered to its housing beneficiaries.

“Back then, social and economic development of housing beneficiaries were part of NHA’s job. The project was packaged under the Tondo Foreshore Development Project and was funded by World Bank. As Tondo then was the biggest slum community in Asia, the government implemented reblocking of slums to provide these ISFs legal access and own parcel of lands where their units were constructed. While the reblocking was being conducted, the NHA implemented health, nutrition and education activities for parents. Family planning was also part of this program. As social workers, we trained community and barangay health workers on proper cooking and housing rights to community building.” MS. Romero narrated and Ms. Galvez explained.

“The challenge for NHA employees during the 1970s was to be creative in project and program delivery for us to achieve results in Tondo Foreshore. We were there in the field to strategize, coordinate with the grassroots and different organizations to implement the Authority’s thrusts and directions. Inuumaga kami sa field for community meetings conducted early in the morning until we can have them say “yes” and agree with the reblocking plans and activities for the whole community. Hanggang madaling araw kailangan naming hintayin iyong iba na makarating sa bahay at kausapin sila, ligawan sila.” Ms. Reggie said. “Minsan nga,

napapanaginipan pa namin ang mga experiences namin sa trabaho.”

Ms. Romero further uttered that “NHA then implemented its programs using the holistic approach. NHA’s point of entry was land and housing coupled with the other needs of the family na maging masaya sila doon sa kanilang kinatitirikan. At sa improvement of quality of life, di lang dahil sa lupa, at kung di ka naman marunong o malusog siyempre di ka naman masaya.” “Though there were many negative reactions towards the reblocking activities in Tondo, many still approved the project.” Ms. Reggie shared.

On core shelter. “Todate, wala na tayo reblocking, o slum upgrading, pati

core shelter natin noon na tinatawag ding “kubeta village” wala na iyon. Ngayon, bahay na, lilipat na lang ang mga pamilya” Ms. Galvez described. Ms. Reggie interjected, “noon kung ano ang tinanggal nila sa bahay nila, iyon din ang itatayo nila sa site and we even loaned housing materials to our housing beneficiaries.”

Evolution of housing beneficiaries“Before, we implemented our projects with this in mind

- maximum retention, minimum displacement and I believe we still do this until today, plus, we now have welcomed the practice of public-private partnership (PPP) as we venture into low-cost, socialized housing. Our strengthened works with the Local Government Unit (LGU) for the provision of technical assistance and fund grants and their counterpart as land magnified our accomplishments,” Ms. Romero.

“For now, according to Ms. Reggie, “Our ISFs want reblocking but we cannot afford that anymore because of high cost of land and we no longer have funds sourced from aids.”

Ms. Galvez, “Wala nang space, at napakamahal. Saka hindi na tayo nag-a-acquire ng lote, bumibili na lang tayo sa developers para sa mga ISFs na irerelocate.” Rising from the ranks, the three women are now managers in their own fields and retirement seems to be something far behind.

Highlighting their four (4) decades with the Authority. According to them, the following are the highlights of

their forty years with the Authority: 1. NHA employment as their first and last job. 2. They got married.

“Dito ako nakapag-asawa. Actually, lahat kami. Though non-NHA employees ang mga asawa namin.” (Ms. Reggie-26 years old; Ms. Romero-24 years old; Ms. Galvez-23 years old)

3. Experiencing self-fulfillment in their jobs. “Valuing self-fulfillment in our job is one of the

things we hold dear in ourselves. And enthusiasm towards work should never wane despite the years in public service”, Ms. Romero reminds the youngbloods of the Authority.

4. “We finished our graduate studies while employed here at NHA.”

“Dito kami nakapag-tapos ng masteral. Nakakuha kami ng scholarship abroad, Netherlands, Sweden at Thailand”, Ms. Romero cited.

Despite their busy schedules and different area assignments, the group still finds time to enjoy each other’s company. “Kapag nagkita-kita kami, bonding din kami talaga, parang walang gap, parang andun pa rin kami sa college days,” Ms. Galvez explained. Ms. Regie continued, “Para kaming magkakapatid, kasi may continuity naman ang aming friendship.” Ms. Romero capped it with, “kahit malayo ang bawat isa, yung spirit mo nag-iisip kung anong ginagawa ng bawat isa.”

-Pides Aura J. Orata

The Authority and Us at 40!

obligations to NHA and with monthly household income below Php. 10,000.00 (2) employable with basic skills required for identified work, and (3) identified as poor through DSWD Pantawid Pamilya Program. They will earn the full regional minimum wage in their area with half of their earnings to be paid as housing amortization to NHA and the remaining 50% for their basic needs. The

Projects, Rodriguez Rizal. More than the wages earned and capability to pay the

housing amortization to NHA for security of tenure, the NHA-DSWD CBLA program was able to transform NHA idle pockets of land and spaces into productive livelihood activities, maximize the utilization of vertical spaces through wall gardening project that enable the community beneficiaries support their own vegetable consumption and City’s feeding programs, and establish micro-enterprise from mass production of by-products. The community’s transformation into a clean and green environment provides families with a healthier and happier dwelling in NHA resettlement sites.

DSWD provides Php. 79 Million funds to finance the wages of 2,763 program beneficiaries of which Php. 39.5 Million will be used to pay their housing amortization to NHA.

The NHA-DSWD CBLA program pilot implementation provides a venue for convergence of resources from various government and non-government agencies such as the LGU Office of the Mayor, Barangay for the provision of logistical requirements like the vehicles, water supply, and venue for the conduct of various activities and livelihood related trainings, City of Agriculture Office provides free seedlings and technical assistance / trainings on soil preparation and planting, City Environmental Office (CENTRO) provides free orientation on solid waste management, non-government organizations provide free technical assistance on vetiver planting and processing. The NHA provided funds for procurement of farm inputs and hand tools, and technical support to the day to day implementation of CBLA projects

Through this Program, the total payment on housing amortization to NHA from August 3-September 22, 2015 is Php. 3,322,005.80 from 651 housing beneficiaries in Northville Projects, Valenzuela City, San Jose del Monte Heights, CSJDM, Bulacan and Southville 8 Housing -NHA Livelihood Development Department

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2015 7

By virtue of Office Order 1702 dated 26 May 2015, the National Housing Authority representatives are designated to the thematic groups for the National Housing and Urban Development Summit 2015-2016. Being a key agency in the housing sector, the NHA was tasked to be a member of the government sector in the four (4) identified thematic groups, namely: Land and Housing, Housing Finance, Participatory Governance, and Urban Development/ Livelihood. The Housing and Urban Development Summit, under the joint initiative of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Urban Development and the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement is targeted to run from May 2015 to March 2016.

Given the magnitude of the housing challenges and the complexity of the sector, the Summit is envisioned to be a process where all stakeholders in the housing sector will be engaged in a series of discussions under the major thematic areas. The Housing and Urban Development Summit’s main goal is to bring together government, private sector, and civil society to collaborate towards effecting immediate interventions to address the housing backlog among the formal and informal sectors and to identify key policy reforms to close the gap in affordable housing.

The Housing Summit is expected to come up with a policy paper on key directions for policy reforms in closing the affordable housing gap in the Philippines and a program implementation on specific cases within the National Capital Region which will serve as prototypes for housing interventions that

NHA Joins Housing Summit Meetmay be applicable on a national scale later on as its primary outputs.

The overall team heads of the thematic groups are then NHA General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz and Assistant General Manager Mr. Froilan R. Kampitan. Meanwhile, the following NHA officers compose the Authority’s representation to the Housing Summit:A. Land and HousingLead: Engr. Victor C. Balba, NCR AMOMembers: Engr. Felicisimo F. Lazarte, Jr., NCL, Ar. Susan V. Nonato, SLB AMO, Ms. Lorna M. Seraspe, VMO, Ar. Ma. Alma T. Valenciano, MMO, Ar. Ma. Benita O. Regala, HTDO, Engr. Maria Otelia F. Eclavea, POSSO, Ar. Marissa B. Maniquis, CPO, Ms. Maria Rosario L. Villanueva, EMDB. Housing FinanceLead: Ms. Wilma D. Hernandez, FMDMembers: Engr. Felicisimo F. Lazarte, Jr., NCL AMO, Ms. Maria Rosario L. Villanueva,EMD, Ms. Prudencia B. Gugol, Accounting, Ms. Evangelina I. Equipaje, LDD, Ms. Visitacion M. Alobba, CPOC. Participatory GovernanceLead: Ms. Ivanswenda V. Marquez, CRIODMembers: Ms. Elsie B. Trinidad, RDSD, Atty. Eleonor A. Balatbat, Legal, Ar. Ma. Teresa P. Oblipias, NCR AMO, Ms. Visitacion M. Alobba, CPOD. Urban Development/LivelihoodLead: Ar. Ma. Benita B. Regala, HTDO (Urban Development), Ms. Evangelina I. Equipaje, LDD (Livelihood)Members: Ar. Ma. Alma T.Valenciano, MMO, Ar. Marissa B. Maniquis, CPO, Ar. Lorna D. Plata, MMO

Ar. Marissa B. Maniquis, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), CPO and Mr. Renato F. Tengco, OIC, COSO are now the NHA permanent and alternative representatives in the Technical Working Group on Disaster Statistics (TWG-DS).

In an effort to ensure the implementation of an integrated system for developing and generating disaster statistics and indicators for a more effective, efficient-risk reduction

and management of disasters, the Inter-Agency Committee on Environment and Natural Statistics (IACENRS) approved the creation of the said TWG as a venue for the discussion and resolution of issues in the compilation of disaster statistics.

The TWG-DS is composed of government agencies and selected representatives from the private sector involved in the production and analysis of disaster statistics.

Reps For Technical Working Group on Disaster Statistics

On its 78th year, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) reaffirms its commitment to provide the most responsive service to its over 1.8 million members and pensioners. Through the years, GSIS carried out a host of reforms to transform the System into a caring institution that is more consultative, transparent, and member-focused.

Of importance: increased the minimum pension to Php 5,000, restored survivorship pension, lifted the suspension of loan privileges for employees working in suspended agencies, revoked the Annual Renewal of Active Status for pensioners, enhanced accessibility of services for its members through the deployment of close to a thousand GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks nationwide, and renewed partnership with Land Bank as an additional servicing bank.

2014 in Retrospect2014 was a record-breaking year for

GSIS in terms of financial performance and exemplary service delivery. No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III, during the 2015 Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Dividends Day at the Bulwagang Rizal in Malacañang Palace, cited the impressive performance of the GSIS.

“Bigyan natin ng other success stories. GSIS income in 2010 was at Php 64 billion. In 2014, it’s now Php 140 billion. Can we give a big hand to Bernie Vergara and the whole team. (Its) assets worth Php 567 billion in 2010 is now Php 910 billion. Claims and benefits from Php 46 billion, has reached Ph 84 billion..,” President Aquino

said, tracing the financial growth of the pension fund in the last five years.

The President cited the GSIS “success story” after announcing that the dividend collections from GOCCS from 2010 to 2015 reached Php 131.18 billion. He compared the amount with that of the 2002-2009 period which only amounted Php 84.18 billion.

The Chief Executive appealed to GOCC personnel to do more. “Ang pakiusap ko po: Huwag tayong titigil; huwag tayong makuntento sa nagawa na; mag-isip pa tayo ng paraan para ba lalong mapaganda ‘yung iiwan nating biyaya, pakinabang, serbisyo sa taumbayan na siya naming lumikha at talagang tumatangkilik sa atin at sumusuporta sa atin.”

“Kayo po, na mga kabilang sa GOCC, dapat naman talagang palakpakan ang bawat isa sa inyo na talagang tumulong din sa pagrerepormang ‘to, na talagang nagpakita kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari at dapat sanang nangyari mula noong umpisa pa,” he said.

Meanwhile, the processing of claims continues to improve with the reduction in the number of documentary requirements, electronic crediting of benefits (retirement, life insurance, survivorship and pre-need) to the accounts of members, additional system enhancements and ‘file anywhere’ policy. In 2014, GSIS adopted a risk system that closely monitors the processing efficiency of its 56 branch and extension offices. As a result, 96% of all retirement and separation claims are processed well within the 90-day turnaround time.

GSIS: Doing great at 78!

The Fine Arts students who participated in the On-the-Spot Painting Contest together with the Judges and the Housing Fair Team 2015. (Photo by Norberto F. Guillermo, Jr. of Home Guaranty Corporation)

Winners of NHA Anniversary logo and Souvenir Magazine cover design contests with NHA managers. (Photo by Danilo O. Zaleta)

Anniversary fever. Winners of the Cultural Presentation in their grand dance steps. The Financial Services Group bagged the first prize; Visayas Management Group, second prize and the Northern and Central Luzon AMO third prize. (Photos by f.11 Camera Club)

Atty. Sinforoso R. Pagunsan, NHA General Manager awards winners of the Gender thru the Lens photography contest held for NHA budding photographers. (Photo by Henry Sison)

PERSONNELMainit na pagbati sa ika 4 na dekadang

pagkakatatag ng NHA. Isang malaking karangalan na maging kinatawan ng mga Gold Loyalty Awardees sa araw na ito, kami ang mga NHA loyalist na matatawag, na halos kalahati ng aming “ prime years “ ay makabuluhang ginugol sa nha. May mga ibat-ibang kwento na tinahak ang bawat isa sa atin. Kasabay nating umunlad at gumawa ng kasaysayan ang ating mahal na ahensya. Partikular sa akin, nagsimula ako sa nha. Mga ilang buwan palang na naisabatas ang pd 757 nuong july 1975. Mag throwback tayo ng kaunti upang malaman natin ang kasaysayan ng nha. Nabuo ang nha sa pagkokonsolida ng pitong (7) ahensya, ito ang pangalawang pagkakataon na kinonsolida ng pamahalaan ni Presidente Marcos ang mga ahensiyang ito :

1. Philippine Homesite Housing Corp (PHHC)

2. President Assistant On Housing And Resettlement Agency (PAHRA)

3. Central Institute For The Training And Relocation Of Squatters (CITRUS)

4. Presidential Committee For Housing & Urban Resettlement (PRECHUR)

5. Inter-Agency Task Force To Undertake Relocation Of Families In Misamis Oriental

6. Tondo Foreshore Development Authority (TFDA)

7. Sapang Palay Development Committee (SPDC)

Sa Tondo Foreshore Development Authority (TFDA) ako nagsimula nung Septyembre 16,1975 bilang Research Assistant . Mapalad akong nakasama sa Research & Documentation Team upang isulat ang mga kaganapan at karanasan sa pag implementa ng Tondo Urban Development Slum Upgrading Project na pinondohan ng World Bank.

Isa sa pinakamahalagang naisulat namin ay ang librong – HOUSING THE URBAN POOR: THE TONDO EXPERIENCE na pinangunahan ni Ms. Mila Reforma. Magmula noon ay humawak na ako ng ibat-ibang tungkulin at posisyon hanggang sa makamit ko ang posisyon ko sa ngayon bilang Department Manager ng Livelihood Development Department. Pinalad din

akong magawaran ng Loyalty Service Award ng magdiwang ang NHA ng ika-sampung anibersaryo nito noong Oktubre 1985. Natanggap ko ang isang memorabilia ng NHA na ladies watch. Ito ang una at huling paggawad ng ating butihing General Manager, Gaudencio V. Tobias, dahil nagkaroon na ng EDSA Revolution ng 1986 at siya ay napalitan dahil sa pagbabago rin ng administrasyon.

Salamat NHA sa ibat-ibang karanasan sa 4 na dekada ng makabuluhang paglilingkod upang marating natin ang ating mga posisyon ngayon. Salamat sa mga pagsubok na nagpatibay sa atin sa pakikitungo sa ibat-ibang sektor, administrasyon at mga organisasyon.

Ano nga ba ang mga qualilities na reinforce sa atin:

1. Positive values- positibong kultura ng organisasyon at matibay na teamwork

2. Quest for excellence at positive competition

Ang sabi ng isang Congressman, dito lang niya nakita sa NHA ang mga MATALINO, C O M PA S S I O N AT E , D E D I C AT E D , HUMBLE na empleyado.

Di tayo nagpatinag sa bawat batikos na ating natatanggap. We have stepped backward to move forward a hundredfolds to prove that we are doing our best with utmost sincerity and conviction.

This Loyalty Award is indeed a celebration for NHA. It successfully retained employees for a long time. Ipinaramdam ng NHA – na NHA is A GOOD PLACE TO WORK AND IT IS WORTH WORKING FOR.

Naghabi tayo ng kasaysayan sa bawat bahay na itinayo sa mga pamilyang walang tahanan- ito ang ating inspirasyon. Kaming mga loyalty awardees ay mag iiwan sa inyo ng mga kwento na ating ipagmamalaki na nakatulong sa pag-unlad ng NHA, kung ano ang NHA ngayon.

Wala kaming HASH MARK na nakalagay sa aming braso tulad ng mga sundalo. Sapat na siguro na mapansin ninyo na nagbabago na ang aming hairdo, nagbabago ang aming timbang at nagbabago ang kulay ng aming buhok, ngunit di nagbabago ang aming puso at damdamin sa aming dedikasyon at komitment na gampanan ang aming mga tungkulin, kung kaya kami ay nandito pa. Apat na dekadang pagilingkod na may

ni Lolita Lopez – Mediavillo, LDD – Supervising Livelihood Officer

kasiyahan at pagmamalaki sa aming puso.Dalangin namin na mas umunlad ang NHA

bilang pangunahing ahensyang pabahay, patatagin ang Misyon at Vision nito. Ang NHA ang ating pamilya, ang NHA ang ating buhay at kabuhayan, ang NHA ang simbolo ng pangarap ng matatag na paninirahan.

MABUHAY ANG NHA! MABUHAY ANG LOYALTY AWARDEES!

Proud to be 40 years in NHA. 2015 Loyalty Awardees with the NHA management. (Photos by Danilo O. Zaleta)

Tagumpay Sa Apatnapung TaongNHA:Serbisyong Pabahay

Sheltering Pnoys is Worth my 40 Years

Poem delivered during the NHA 40th Anniversary Celebration participated in by the TRINOMAD Group (Resettlement and Development Services Dept.,Community Relations and Information Operations Dept. and Livelihood Development Dept.)

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is reminding everyone to have their old banknotes replaced with the New Generation Currency (NGC) notes from all banks and BSP Cash Departments, as part of the demonetization process. The demonetization is the process of removing the monetary value of a legal tender currency by the issuing authority. This is one way in safeguarding the integrity of the currency and protecting it against counterfeiters. As a matter of practice, central banks around the world change the design of their currencies that have been in circulation for over 10 years. In the case of the Philippines, our old banknote series, introduced in 1985 or 30 years ago, is being replaced with the NGC series which was launched in 2010.Distinguishing features of the NGC

series include the new BSP logo, fewer denominations (20-, 50-, 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1,000- peso), wider security thread, a serial number composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits which are increasing in size, and the reverse side featuring iconic natural wonders and species found in the country.According to the BSP, the old banknotes

can still be used for daily transactions from January 1 to December 31, 2015. However, the series can no longer be used for daily transactions starting January 1 to December 31, 2016. They can only be exchanged in authorized agent banks and BSP Cash Department or any of its Regional offices or branches. Finally, starting January 1, 2017, the old banknote series is demonetized, and has no more monetary value. Only the NGC banknote series will remain as legal tender in the country.

Out with the Old,In with the New

Presidential Decree 757 ikaw ay itinatag! Serbisyong pabahay, misyon mong matatawag Pamilya sa estero, tulay, riles, tambakan Maralitang walang bahay, napili mong pagsilbihan Alay mong pabahay sa dukha ay langit na! Nagbigay pag-asa, sa gipit, salat na buhay nila Community service , mula CRIOD lubos at sapat na! Programang pang-kabuhayan alay ng LDD, bonus pang talaga!

Apat na dekada tuloy-tuloy mong programaNational Housing Authority sa PABAHAYIkaw ang AHENSYA! Walang kaduda - dudaSlum upgrading/ zonal improvement, resettlement, low rise building, itinayo na! Lakas ng RDSD, koordinasyon, boluntaryong relokasyon may puso ngang talaga!

Sobrang galit! poot! sigaw! bato! sagot namin sayo Sa akalang NHA, buhay nami’y sisirain moNgunit ngayon, salamat sa ‘yo.Gandang buhay , pala alay mong totoo!

Saludo , sa mga kawaning tapat na nagsilbi NHA may puso kang wagas at mabutiMula GM Tobias, ngayon GM Pagunsan NHA hatid mo, disenteng pabahay sa pamilyang Pilipino.

Ito ngayon ang panawagan , sa bawat mamamayan Dibat, ilang Pangulo na ang nagbanta at nagplano?Department of Housing, minungkahi sa KongresoLakas at galing ng mga empleyado, benepisyaryoPinagsanib, pinag-isa, kaagapay ang CUENHA, palakasin ng todo - todo !!!

Ngayong ako, ikaw, tayo, sa serbisyong publiko APAT NA PUNG TAON NA! Hayaan mong, isigaw ko sa tanang balana !Naging kontribusyon mo sa buhay ng mga benepisyaryo.National Housing Authority, mabuhay ka! ikaw na! dakila kang talaga!

Message delivered by Ms. Evangelina I. Equipaje,Department Manager, LDDduring the Loyalty Award, October 13, 2015