Still no PAG-IBIG Fund head? Here’s why

Rappler.com

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Still no PAG-IBIG Fund head? Here’s why
Will it be President Rodrigo Duterte's former campaign spokesperson or Vice President Leni Robredo's fellow lawyer?

The housing sector is among the cluster of government offices still awaiting an appointed head by President Rodrigo Duterte. 

This is despite the pressing need raised by Vice President Leni Robredo to craft a comprehensive housing roadmap to address the backlog that will reach 5 million this year. (READ: Robredo: Gov’t must build over 2,600 homes a day to beat backlog

Of the key shelter agencies (KSA), only the National Housing Authority has an appointed head – General Manager Marcelino Escalada.

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Social Housing Finance Corporation, and the Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG Fund) are some of the most important KSAs that still have a vacant leadership post. All are government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Interestingly, the battle for PAG-IBIG Fund’s top post appears to speak of the individual preferences of Duterte and Robredo. 

A source disclosed that the mutual fund’s CEO will be a toss up between Peter Laviña and lawyer Marlon Manuel.

Laviña played a major role in Duterte’s presidential bid, serving as his spokesperson of sorts. He defended the President when Trillanes lashed at Duterte for having an alleged bank account that contained P211 million.

Laviña’s wife Evelyn was recently appointed undersecretary for high-value crops in the Department of Agriculture. He used to serve as Davao City councilor and chaired the local government’s committees on Trade, commerce and industry and city-owned real estate properties.

Meanwhile, Manuel used to be the National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) chairperson for the basic sectors and was PhilHealth board member.

Like Robredo, Manuel provided legal assistance to the marginalized sector. He was also the former executive director of Saligan (Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal), where Robredo was coordinator.

He was also eyed as undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government during the time of the vice president’s late husband, interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo, chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said that she had submitted a number of recommendations of possible heads of KSAs.

“Makakatulong iyon kasi kasi ‘yong recommend naman natin na mga tao, ‘yong sigurado natin ‘yong sigurado na pareho ‘yong pagtingin sa housing gaya ng pagtingin natin,” she said when asked if she prefers that her recommendations are chosen.

(That would help because we would be sure that my recommended persons and I share the same view on housing.)

But she emphasized that having her people on board is just a “band-aid” solution to the housing problem.

“Ang pinakamaganda talagang solusyon sa housing, gawin siyang departamento. Kasi ngayon, lahat ng gusto naming gawin, ipapadaan muna namin sa Office of the President kasi wala kaming mandato,” she said. (READ: VP Robredo pushes for creation of housing department

(The best solution is to create a housing department. Because right now we have to pass through the Office of the President first when we want things done because we don’t have the mandate.)

As a consolidating body, HUDCC crafts policy direction for the sector and oversees the work done by all the housing agencies. – Rappler.com

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