The National Housing Authority (NHA) on October 10, 2022, officially started its week-long 47th anniversary celebration highlighting General Manager Joeben Tai’s first 71 days in office.

In his message, GM Tai expressed his sincerest appreciation to the agency’s officials and employees for their warm welcome and putting their trust in his leadership to provide safe and quality homes for the Filipino families.

Since GM Tai assumed his post, the NHA has provided various programs and projects to ensure that Filipino families are given more opportunities to achieve better lives. This includes the launching of BBM housing – Build Better and More housing, which aims to cater the housing needs and end the housing backlogs of our country.

During his first week as the General Manager of the NHA, GM Tai approved the release of P270 million as financial assistance to the victims of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the provinces of Abra and Ilocos Sur through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). The distribution was conducted on August 11, 2022, benefiting 26,280 families who received cash assistance.

To further intensify the agency’s programs and services, as well as continue to provide quality housing projects to the Filipino people for the next 50 years, one of the paramount concerns of GM Tai when he took over as General Manager is the renewal of the NHA charter. In his courtesy call to the House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez and presidential son Senior Deputy Majority Floor Leader Rep. Sandro Marcos, GM Tai brought up the corporate charter issue of the NHA, which is due to expire in three years or in 2025. The two respected legislators did not hesitate to support the extension of NHA’s corporate term.

On September 6, 2022, the NHA awarded housing units to 431 beneficiaries from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, led by GM Tai. The awarding ceremony was held at the San Jose del Monte City Convention Center at Brgy. Sapang Palay Proper. Out of the 431 NHA beneficiaries, 154 were from Pleasant View Residences; 128 families from St. Joseph Ville; 104 in San Jose Del Monte Heights; and 45 in Rising City Village.

Following the awarding of houses in SJDM, GM Joeben Tai also spearheaded the unveiling and blessing ceremony of the NHA’s housing project for the members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), held at Malacañang Park, Manila on September 9, 2022. This symbolizes the agency’s gratitude to PSG personnel for their courage and continued loyalty in serving the country, especially for their bravery in protecting and ensuring the security and safety of our dear President and his family.

Moreover, GM Tai carried out site inspections to different NHA housing projects to guarantee the caliber of the homes that the agency is constructing for the homeless and low-income families. Among these sites are located in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, La-Union, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and Zamboanga. Aside from site visitation, consultation and dialogue with the residents of NHA sites are also being done to identify their needs and provide them with appropriate assistance.

Under the leadership of GM Tai, the NHA continuously collaborates and strengthens ties with other government agencies and entities, local government units, and private sector to better serve the marginalized communities. GM Tai is very optimistic that the Authority will continue to carry out its mandate, being the sole production arm of the government in providing access to decent, livable, resilient, and affordable shelters to low-income families.

Last October 7, 2022, GM Tai led the distribution of EHAP to families affected by calamities and disasters in Zamboanga City. About P4.59 million was distributed to 459 family-beneficiaries whose houses were destroyed by fire and typhoons.

Meanwhile, the week-long NHA 47th anniversary, themed “NHA @ 47: Bagong Bahay, Magandang Buhay, Handog na Tunay,” offers activities namely: the Information Division-CPD-led Service Caravan participated by various government agencies, private institutions, and non-government organizations such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Philippine Statistics Authority, 1st Megasavers Appliances, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Baguio Balm, CAREHealth Plus, Derm Factor, Holistic Wellness Solutions, Love Yourself Inc., Megasoft Hygiene Products, Philippine National Bank, Pru Life UK, Quirido Bistro, San Miguel Corp., Slimmers World, SunLife, and S&R.; Loyalty and Honor Awards for NHA’s officials and employees; beneficiary and employees’ bazaar; a sexual health consultation and seminar; and others.

GM Tai extended his gratitude to all the exhibitors for their participation and bringing in their services at NHA for its employees. GM Tai said, “Sa inyong lahat na nakiisa at nagpaunlak sa aming paanyaya na maging bahagi ng aming ika-47 anibersaryo, marami pong salamat.”