NEGROS Occidental Fifth District congressional aspirant Maria Lourdes Arroyo-Lesaca, sister-in-law of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, initiated housing initiatives for the Negrenses.
Arroyo-Lesaca invited Pag-ibig Fund chief executive officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti in Bacolod to meet with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and mayors in the province to discuss a possible partnership with the agency on building additional and affordable houses to qualified members and informal settlers.
Arroyo and her group had an initial meeting with the governor on Thursday morning, December 13, at the Provincial Capitol to initially discuss the idea of having massive housing projects for the people of Negros Occidental.
“This is how we love Negros. We want to continue what my brother, former Fifth District Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, has started when he was a congressman here. We came from here and we want to give back. As much as possible, I want to help Negros as a way of thanking Negros. The projects that my brother has started before will be continued when I assume the post.”
She said that her dream for her district and Negros is aligned with the “Build, Build, Build” program of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“When we get started with this project, many will also support this project and I want to see my district to bloom including the province. Negros has to be in the map as a tourist destination, as a place to see and as everything because we have it here. It just needs a little push and I hope I can do it,” she said.
She added that Pag-ibig members will always have the first chance to avail of the project.
It is important for a family to have a house, food on their table, education, clothing, and good health, she added.
“One of the commitments that I have given to Malacañang and to President Duterte is we will bring the housing solutions available to the metropolis to the countryside. That is called the Countryside Housing Initiative,” Moti said.
“We have done a number of projects. It is usually around 30 percent more affordable. For instance, a duplex house which is worth a million, Pag-ibig beneficiary can get it between P600,000 to P700,000 with all the amenities. We want to serve the unserved and underserved areas. We are so happy that we have met the Negros officials here,” he added.