Refer to: Ms. Dale Zapata 8332148

VP NOLI TO START WORK ON SCOUT RANGERS' VILLAGE

27January 2006

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) under Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro will begin working immediately on the First Scout Rangers Village Housing Project to be developed within Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Agreement signed for Scout Rangers Housing Project. Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro applauds the formal turnover of the signed Memorandum of Agreement between Dave Puyat, Director, Manila Banking Corporation, and General Danilo Lim, Commanding General, First Scout Ranger Regiment. The Agreement provides for the development of a 50-hectare land area donated by the Manila Banking Corporation and the Puyat family for the housing needs of officers and enlisted men of the AFP-First Scout Ranger Regiment (AFP-FSRR) through its Scout Ranger Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The project, which will be known as the First Scout Ranger Housing Village, will benefit 1,476 officers and personnel of the AFP-FSRR. Looking on are Benjamin Yambao, President, Manila Banking Corporation, Atty. Romulo Fabul, Commissioner, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and San Miguel Mayor Pop Buencamino (partially hidden). (photo by: Patricio Roel Pira)

This was disclosed by the Vice President during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Manila Banking Corporation (Manilabank) , the HUDCC, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Housing Authority (NHA), First Scout Ranger Regiment Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FSRRMPC) and the Pag-IBIG Fund for the said project.

“HUDCC will work closely with the Manila Bank to effect the transfer of the land to NHA, which will manage the development and the disposition of lots to the beneficiaries,” De Castro said.

Manila Bank and the Puyat family has donated a 50-hectare portion of the bank’s property in Camp Tecson to be developed as a housing project for the First Scout Rangers.

“Our partner from the private sector really played a paramount role in this undertaking, because their donation of land solves one-half of the problem in making this village a reality. We are extremely grateful to Manila Bank and the Puyat family,” the Vice President added.

He revealed that the NHA, under the supervision of the HUDCC, “will immediately initiate the bidding process to choose a private developer that will work on the project under a joint venture program.”

The DBM will allocate a P200 million fund for the project, while the Pag-IBIG Fund will open a special window to facilitate the processing of housing loans of qualified beneficiaries from First Scout Rangers.

De Castro said this is just the latest of several housing projects of the government specifically for Filipino soldiers.

The HUDCC and the Department of National Defense also have projects in various stages of development in Cagayan de Oro, Camp Aquino in Tarlac, Camp Tinio in Cabanatuan, Camp Riego de Dios in Cavite, Fort Del Pilar in Baguio, BonifacioHeights in Taguig, and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

“Aside from these, we are also processing the proclamation of portions of various idle government properties as off-base housing sites. With or without rumors of a coup, we will continue to do our duty of providing opportunities for housing for our soldiers.” De Castro added.