VP NOLI EYES MICROFINANCE FOR NORTHVILLE COMMUNITIES

05 March  2006

VICE President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) concurrent chairman Noli “Kabayan” De Castro announced that HUDCC and National Housing Authority (NHA), in coordination with livelihood agencies, multi-lateral organizations and, microfinance NGOs, are working on appropriate livelihood projects to augment the income of families in Northville communities.

VP NOLI IN A DIALOGUE WITH NORTHVILLE RESIDENTS.  Vice President and concurrent HUDCC chairman Noli "Kabayan" De Castro interacts with residents of Northville 3, in Brgy. Bayugo, Meycauyan, Bulacan. Also present are National Housing Authority General Manager Federico Laxa and Meycauyan Mayor Eddie Alarila (green Tee-shirt) during his visit at the Northville resettlement sites. (OVP photo by Egay Montana) 3/5/06

“Part of this program is also training, upgrading and re-tooling of skills to meet employment demands and requirements in Bulacan.”  This was the response of De Castro when asked about livelihood assistance that government can provide during his visit to the Northville communities.


A bigger financial help however, according to De Castro, is in the offing after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) expressed interest in supporting the entry of microfinance in Northville.


“The private sector is playing a crucial role in the national relocation program and the government through HUDCC is very thankful to ADB for expressing its concern for the relocated families,” De Castro said.


“Being in town relocation, government will not provide livelihood loans.  Nevertheless, HUDCC and NHA will work closely with agencies which can provide livelihood assistance, including microfinance institutions such as rural and thrift banks and microfinance NGOs,” De Castro said when asked if livelihood grant is included in the entitlements of the affected families.

IN A HUDDLE.  Vice President and concurrent HUDCC chairman Noli "Kabayan" De Castro discusses viable livelihood programs for Northville residents with Father Nonong Arcilla (middle) and National Housing Authority General Manager Federico Laxa during his visit at Northville 5 in Bgy.Batia Bocaue Bulacan. (OVP photo by Egay Montana) 3/5/06

“But I am going to pursue the commitment of North Luzon Railway Corporation (NLRC) to give preferential option to qualified Northrail relocatees in the manpower requirements of the Northrail project.  Kaya ngayon pa lang ina-assess na natin ang existing skills ng mga workers dito sa communities upang matugunan ng kaukulang training at re-tooling programs para sila ay mag-qualify sa job demands,” De Castro added.