President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 12216, which strengthens the National Housing Authority (NHA) by extending its corporate term and rationalizing its powers. FILE / NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 12216, which strengthens the National Housing Authority (NHA) by extending its corporate term and rationalizing its powers.
The law, signed by Marcos on May 28, extended the corporate term of NHA for another 25 years, starting July 31, 2025,聽and repealed Presidential Decree No. 757, series of 1975.
鈥淭he National Housing Authority (NHA) 鈥� shall continue to exist as a corporate body and shall operate under the provisions of this Act. It shall develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated, and affordable housing program,鈥� the law reads.
鈥淭he Authority shall retain its principal office in Metro Manila but may have such regional and district offices, or subsidiaries in other areas all over the country, as it may deem proper and necessary,鈥� it further read, adding that the NHA will be placed under the administrative supervision of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
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RA No. 12216 also increased the NHA鈥檚 authorized capitalization from P5聽billion to P10聽billion.
Among the NHA鈥檚 general powers are the exercise of the power of succession, to sue and be sued, and to adopt and use a seal which shall be judicially noticed.
It is also tasked with entering into contracts whenever necessary and acquiring property rights and interests, or disposing of them, as it may deem appropriate.
The law also mandated the NHA to formulate and enforce general and specific policies for housing and resettlement, by the National Housing and Urban Development Policy set by the DHSUD.
It shall also develop and maintain a database and census of households and families along waterways, in danger areas, government infrastructure project sites, and government-owned lands in Metro Manila and all regions nationwide, which shall be used for subsequent government interventions with housing and resettlement components.
Furthermore, it shall also establish a socialized and low-cost housing loan restructuring and condonation program; and develop and implement comprehensive and integrated housing and urban and rural development programs for qualified beneficiaries.
The law also states that NHA shall continue to assume all rights, obligations, and liabilities that it had during the effectivity of its original charter.
It then mandated the agency to formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the law not later than 90 days after its approval./coa