MANILA— Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns over alleged favoritism in the distribution of government housing, saying some beneficiaries may have been selected because of their connections to local officials.

During the Senate budget hearing on the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its attached agencies, including the National Housing Authority (NHA), Tulfo said he had received complaints that some housing recipients already owned properties or vehicles but were still included among beneficiaries.

He said some politicians allegedly use government housing units as rewards for supporters.

“Talamak daw ang palakasan system sa pamamahagi ng pabahay ng gobyerno. Kadalasan, ang mga nabibigyan ay bata-bata ni Mayor o dabarkads ni Chairman!,” he said.

NHA General Manager Joeben Tai explained that the agency selects beneficiaries based on lists submitted by local government units or national government agencies for housing projects, including resettlement programs and housing intended for calamity victims.

Tulfo suggested that the NHA create a dedicated unit to independently vet prospective beneficiaries before housing units are awarded.

He said such a mechanism would allow the NHA to verify applicants rather than rely solely on beneficiary lists submitted by LGUs and other government agencies.

Tai agreed with the proposal.

Tulfo also urged the NHA to strengthen safeguards against beneficiaries transferring or selling their awarded housing units to other people or renting them out.

Tai likewise agreed and committed to improving monitoring to prevent such practices.

At the close of the hearing, Tulfo expressed his support for the proposed budget of the DHSUD and its attached agencies.