Binay aims substantial reforms in OFW protection, housing for 2011

Claiming he has already taken the first steps in protecting overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and housing reforms during his first six months in office, Vice President Jejomar Binay is eyeing substantial changes in the two fields in 2011. “There is much work to be done in the coming years but we have already taken the important first steps in reforming the housing sector and ensuring government assistance for our OFWs," Binay said in an article posted on the Office of the Vice President website Thursday. Binay said he plans to hold more consultations with the two sectors so he can promote their welfare better next year. President Benigno Aquino III has designated Binay as Presidential Adviser for OFW Concerns. In November, the vice president led government officials in bringing home 162 distressed OFWs from Lebanon, the first mass repatriation undertaken by the new administration. He also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify the drive against illegal recruitment, after the arrest of Britons victimizing Filipinos. “This case is only the first of other cases we will be filing against illegal recruiters and human traffickers. The Aquino administration is determined to protect our nationals from these unscrupulous individuals," he said. According to him, government agencies serving OFWs should pool their resources and work together. Binay had met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to familiarize himself with their respective functions and programs. Close coordination of government agencies is essential in addressing OFW concerns, he said. Housing As the country’s housing czar, Binay pushed for transparency and a level playing field in the housing industry. This after the filing of a complaint for syndicated estafa against the owner of property developer Globe Asiatique (GA). He also directed the state housing fund to tighten its internal controls to protect the members’ contributions from unscrupulous developers, while at the same time making it easier for Filipinos to acquire homes. The Home Mutual Development (Pag-IBIG) Fund, acting on Binay's directive, filed a complaint for syndicated estafa against GA owner over the P6 billion in fraud-ridden loans obtained from the agency. “More than correcting the impression that the national government is playing favorites with some developers, the filing of the complaint shows that government is determined to run after developers who engage in misrepresentation and duplicity and endanger the stability of government institutions," he said. He also directed Pag-IBIG to adjust its target from 75,000 housing units to 150,000 and set aside loanable funds that will be made available to buyers/developers. “The intervention is intended to accelerate action in the other groups and sectors of housing. We must deliver more houses to fill the gap between housing stock and housing need, which is about 350,000 each year," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV