PNoy signs AO creating housing project for soldiers, police

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has signed Administrative Order 9 creating a housing project for low-salaried members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. In a press statement Tuesday, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said AO No. 9 earmarks P4.2 billion to build 20,000 houses for military and police personnel, as part of the government’s effort to improve the lives of government employees. “It is the policy of this administration to improve the welfare of government employees, including military and police personnel," he said. He said the order, which the President Aquino signed on April 11, involves the provision of permanent shelters for soldiers and policeman who will qualify under the beneficiaries selection criteria of the program. “Providing decent and affordable shelter to soldiers and policemen is one way to carry out such policy, as we are aware that despite sincere efforts there are still a large number of military and police personnel whose need for housing provision must be urgently attended to," said Ochoa. Under AO 9, the National Housing Authority takes the lead in the implementation of the housing program, with funding also coming from the NHA. The December 1986 Executive Order No. 90, designates the NHA as responsible for the implementation of the government’s socialized housing under the National Shelter Program. In line with this, the President ordered the NHA to formulate, implement and manage the housing program for low-income armed forces and police personnel. Ochoa said the administration hopes to give the military and police personnel, who put their lives at risk to uphold the laws of the land and maintain peace and order in the country, what is due them through the affordable and decent housing program. — LBG, GMA News