Military and Police beneficiaries of housing program laud Aquino

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite: Beneficiaries of the Aquino government’s housing program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel expressed their profound thanks and sincere gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III and the various concerned agencies of the government for the opportunity given them to have their own housing units, which provided them and their respective families a decent and better standard of living.

The men and women soldiers and policemen who were recipients of the housing units echoed their sentiments of gratitude and appreciation to the President during the “symbolic turnover of the 1,500 Houses for the AFP and PNP personnel in Ciudad Adelina 2, Barangay Luciano, here on Friday.

Staff Sergeant Edwin Gumela, who has served the country for 27 years under the

Philippine Army, said that the housing program of the Aquino administration not only boosts their morale but significantly serves as a huge support especially for him who is residing in Mindanao.

“Para sa akin ay talagang napakalaking tulong nito lalo na ako taga Mindanao pa ako, bibisita na lamang ako doon sa Mindanao at dito na ako titira,” Gumela said.

The 53-year-old liaison officer from the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Bonifacio further said that through his newly-acquired housing unit he can now save a lot of money that can be used for the needs of his family.

“Noong araw nangungupahan ako sa Malibay, Pasay City… noong una ang bayad ko 2,800 pesos lang tapos pataas na ng pataas hanggang naging 3,900 na depende pa sa konsumo ng tubig at kuryente, kaya nga dito na talaga ako titira,” Gumela said.

“Napakalaking bagay nito, nagpapasalamat ako sa mahal nating Pangulo at binigyan kami ng ganitong opportunity, at least malaking tulong para sa amin ito… sa aming lahat na mga kawal na Pilipino,” he added.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rey Sarcon, for his part, thanked the Chief Executive for the housing project saying that instead of allocating a large part of his salary to pay their house rental, he could now give more for his wife and children.

“Ako po ay natutuwa kasi po sa ngayon ay nabigyan kami ng bahay… may mauuwian na po at may permanenteng bahay na di katulad ng dati na nagre-renta lang po kami,” Sarcon said.

“Ang apartment po nasa seven thousand po na malaking kabawasan sa kinikita namin… so instead na magbabayad pa ng renta ay makadadagdag na po yun sa panggastos para sa araw-araw na pangangailangan at sa pag-aaral ng mga bata… at may maitatago pa sa bangko,” he added.

Sarcon who is assigned to the Makati Police, is now on his tenth year of service.

SPO1 Sarcon’s wife, Maritess echoed her husband’s sentiments of thanking President Aquino whom, she said, gave them an opportunity to have an investment for the future of their three daughters.

“Salamat po kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino para po dito sa pino-provide niyang bahay para sa PNP at sundalo… makaka-save na kami at ito ay talagang malaking tulong,” Mrs. Sarcon added.

The turnover ceremony was part of the series of events that were lined up for the 26th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

It commemorates the collaboration between civilian and military forces during the non-violent revolt of the Filipinos against dictatorship in 1986.

The housing program was being implemented under Administrative Order 9 “Directing the National Housing Authority to Formulate, Implement and Manage a Housing Program for the Military and Police Personnel”, which was issued on April 11, last year.

In the first five years, beneficiaries need only pay P200 a month for a standard row house that will gradually increase to P809.53 during the 26th to the 30th year allowing them to use and allot more of their income for the other needs of their families including education, health, and other similar concerns. (PCOO/PIA9-ZBST)