INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo is pushing for a housing program for fire and jail personnel.

Robredo said that based on a survey, the majority of fire and jail personnel cannot afford to have a house of their own.

The Aquino government has already provided housing units for the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines under its AFP-PNP Housing Program.

“While we are intensifying efforts in improving organizational structure, we are also looking into the welfare of our men in uniform,” Robredo said.

Robredo added that he already requested Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad to look into the proposal.

The DILG chief said that half of the BJMP personnel do not have houses while the BFP has a much higher 70 percent who cannot afford such.

Last July, Robredo led the ceremonial distribution of more than 300 housing units to members of the PNP and AFP in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The distribution served as the first batch of the program aimed at addressing the housing needs of low-salaried soldiers and policemen.

The housing project, which covers approximately 300,000 square meters, will benefit more than 2,000 AFP and PNP members upon its completion by the end of the year.

President Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led similar distribution activities to target AFP and PNP beneficiaries at Bgy. Batia in Bocaue, Bulacan and at Bgy. Looc in Calamba City, and at Bgy. Pinugay in Baras, Rizal, respectively.

A total of P4.2-billion has been allocated by the government for the construction of 21,800 housing units within the year to be divided and distributed to qualified AFP and PNP members.