President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday signed House Bill No. 6775 into law, which creates the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD). The bill was authored by Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez and Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano.

The law will be known as RA 11201.

DHUD combines the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and will primarily oversee the management of housing, human settlement, and urban development.

“This victory is a victory for everyone who helped in the passage of the new law,” Benitez said. “A much-needed department to bring decent and affordable housing to our country.”/DGB, WDJ