FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City- The Philippine Army awards 20 new housing units to deserving personnel in a Turn-Over Ceremony today, July 31, at the Army headquarters, an Army official said.

Army Chief of Staff Major General Maximo G Caro presided the Turn-Over Ceremony of the 2 Units-10Door Apartments with Attic located at the Security and Escort Battalion area within the Army camp.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said this initiative is part of the Philippine Army’s project to construct 28 units of 10-Door apartment with ground development distributed Army wide under the AFP Modernization Fund.

“This is a continuing program of the Army intended to boost the morale of our soldiers. Many of whom are serving in the frontlines until today. The Army ensures that their family members are being taken cared of by awarding them with decent housing units on-camp,” said Cabunoc.

It can be recalled that the Philippine Army has initially awarded five 10-door apartment units to individual beneficiaries last May 2011.

To date, out of the 28 units, 16 units were already completed, while nine units are on-going, and three units are just to be started due to the change in design and location of the project.

Dream house

The Philippine Army continues to provide housing units to soldiers as part of the morale and welfare program of the command.

The awardees of the new housing units can enjoy a decent living in a 3-storey townhouse with three main bedrooms and an undivided attic which can be converted into functional rooms like play area for the kids, music room or anything that the family desires.

Each unit has a floor area of 195 sq. m. including the parking and service area. The Masters’ Bedroom is approximately 13.3 sq. m. while the two smaller bedrooms are 9.5 sq. m. each.

At the ground floor is a maid’s quarter at 4.6 sq. m. The parking area 25 sq. m. big which can accommodate at most two vehicles.

Meanwhile, the 20 sq. m. service area can be used as laundry and dirty kitchen area. It is comparable to the townhouses in nearby areas that can be rented at around P30,000.00-P40,000.00/month.

Army officers occupying these on-base units pay a minimum amount of maintenance fee of Php 650.00 to P900.00. This 'rental fee' could vary depending on the quarter allowances per computed based on the soldier's rank.

Apparently, these housing units spare the soldiers of humongous rental fees which they have to pay outside just to provide a decent living for their families.

Construction of more buildings, apartments and other ground development is on-going in different Army camps to provide comfortable on-base housing, better quality of life and security to the soldiers and their families.

Last May 14, the Army turned-over 32 newly-constructed housing units under the JUSMAG Replication project.

These 32 completed units are part of the 160 condo-type units of the 10-unit buildings which are constructed a few hundred meters away from the posh residences of Mc Kinley Hill.

P-Noy housing project

Augmenting the Army housing program is the PNOY housing project which started in 2011.

A total of 10, 699 housing units were allocated for the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Of which, 3, 783 are dedicated for the Army wherein 3, 319 were already entitled for officers and enlisted personnel waiting for formal turn-over.

The remaining units are still open for application.

These housing units are located outside military bases such as General Trias in Cavite, Calamba in Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal.

Meanwhile, Cabunoc said that through the continuous support from the government and external donors, the Army will continue to provide shelter to its personnel, enhancing the security and protection of the soldiers' family members.

“Owning houses does not only provide physical security but more importantly an inspiration for the beneficiaries to continue living their dream of giving a good future to their families while serving the country,” said Cabunoc.

Army chief Lt General Emmanuel Bautista said that he will always support the implementation of projects that will benefit the soldiers.

“Granting modest and comfortable housing facilities for our soldiers is our humble way to uplift the living conditions of our soldiers who have faithfully performed their duties, especially those who are helping the people in far-flung communities. It is also part attaining our vision of becoming a world-class Army by 2028,” said Bautista.