Sen. JV describes as 'road to hell' the gov't housing program because of irregularities

"ROAD to hell" is my initial conclusion to my investigation on the alleged irregularities in the gov't resettlement and housing program for victims of natural and man-made calamities and not "road to recovery."

I have heard enough and I have seen enough. That's why after three public hearings, I decided to wrap up the probe conducted by my Senate housing committee. The last one was yesterday (Tuesday, July 31) where two resource persons admitted they were sub-contractors.

In the course of my investigation, I visited some resettlement sites, the latest of which was the one in Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Compostella Valley for victims of typhoon "Pablo," which is a landslide-prone area. I also inspected and saw for myself sub-standard housing units.

It's lamentable that the good intention of the housing program was perverted by some people who colluded and managed to "milk" the projects in a mafia-like modus.

The committee will make the necessary recommendation, based on its findings, that charges have to be filed and culprits have to be put behind bars.

In order to prevent this mess from happening again in the future, I intend to craft and introduce a measure that will ensure stringent terms of reference for bidding out government housing projects. We also need to have a law that is strong and strict when it comes to terms of reference.

In the legislation that I have in mind, strict criteria for negotiated contracts will also be expressed to prevent fly-by-night contractors from cornering sweet contracts from the government.

I will file this measure together with my report and other recommendations as soon as we finish the papers.