(Quezon City) As the Cooperative Development Authority marks its 32nd Anniversary, the Agency’s partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) was fortified through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and the Groundbreaking Ceremonies for the proposed Housing project for the CDA employees. It was held on March 10, 2022, at Mother Ignacia Avenue, cor. Roces Ave., Quezon City.
In the opening message of Assistant Secretary Vidal D. Villanueva III, he stated that the proposed housing project was just one of his dreams for the CDA and its Employees. Overwhelmed with its realization, Assistant Secretary Villanueva III expressed his deepest gratitude to CDA Chairman Joseph B. Encabo and NHA General Manager Marcelino P. Escalada Jr., for playing a great role in bringing this dream into reality and for promoting good quality way of living through decent housing.
Meanwhile, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which aims to provide adequate and affordable housing to employees of CDA, was signed by CDA Chairman, USEC. Joseph B. Encabo and NHA General Manager, Marcelino P. Escalada Jr. The witnesses to the signing were CDA Assistant Secretary Myrla B. Paradillo and NHA OIC, NCR East Sector, Engr. Maura D. Aggarao, in behalf of Assistant General Manager Victor C. Balba.. The Parties agree to the construction and implementation of the Low Rise Building Project for the target beneficiaries of the CDA in accordance with NHA Memorandum Circular No. 2021-016 also known as “Guidelines for Financing the Acquisition of Housing Units under the Government Employees Housing Program (GEHP) through the Community Based Initiative Approach (CBIA)” dated 26 April 2021 which provides that NHA is undertaking GEHP for qualified government employees so that they might enjoy the benefits of adequate and affordable housing.
For his part, the Guest of Honor, GM Escalada Jr., congratulated CDA for coming up with the proposed project for its employees, mentioning that, “you cannot be charitable to others if you are not charitable to yourself”. He emphasized that having stable cooperatives require a stable agency. He also expressed his appreciation to the efforts of the Agency’s leaders in prioritizing the welfare of its employees which will be an assurance to perform better and extend the best service to our cooperatives.
Following the inspiring message was the groundbreaking ceremony led by the officials of both Agencies and witnessed by its employees.
The Ceremony concluded with a message from Usec. Encabo expressing his excitement and appreciation with the partnership of the CDA with the NHA towards the welfare and development of its employees and the cooperative sector, respectively. The Chairman is very thankful to the leadership of GM Escalada together with his team for making the CDA-NHA housing project possible as well as to the CDA Board of Directors’ efforts in looking after the wellbeing of the CDA employees.
(Melanie Roquiño, CPDAD/IDS)
