By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Outgoing Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez is being considered to head the newly-formed Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD).

Benitez recently told reporters he was informed by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that he was a consideration for the post.

The new department, which was recently signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, will combine Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council administrative functions and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

“The department will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing and urban development,” said Senator JV Ejercito, who was the principal author of the Senate bill that created DHUD.

Meanwhile, Benitez penned the House bill.

According to the senator, the country is currently facing a housing backlog in excess of two million.

He explained, with the new department, “There will be a formulation and implementation of a more coherent and holistic plan for the housing sector.”

The department will also be tasked with assisting local government units with utilizing socialized housing taxes and other sources of funding for new settlement projects./DGB, WDJ