Malacanang Rizal Hall
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III swears in Vice President Jejomar Binay as the new chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) during the oath-taking ceremony Tuesday (July 20) at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall. (REY S. BANIQUET/OPS-NIB)Joining the Vice President were members of his family led by his wife Elenita and son Makati Mayor Jun-Jun Binay.
As HUDCC chair, Binay will be charged with overseeing the agency’s functions of coordinating the activities of the government housing agencies to ensure the accomplishment of the National Shelter Program.
He will also lead the agency in:
Formulating national objectives for housing and urban development and to design broad strategies for accomplishment of these objectives;
Determining the participation and coordinate the activities of the key government housing agencies in the national housing program;
Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the effectively of these agencies’ exercise of their assigned functions;
Assisting in the maximum participation of the private sector in all aspects of housing and urban development;
Recommending new legislation and amendments to existing laws as may be necessary for the attainment of the government’s objective in housing;
Formulating the basic policies, guidelines and implementing mechanisms for the disposal or development of acquired or existing assets of the key housing agencies; and,
Exercising or performing other powers and functions as may be deemed necessary, proper or incidental to the attainment of its purpose and objectives.
Immediately after the oath-taking rites, Vice President Binay joined President Aquino and the rest of the members of his official family for a Cabinet meeting in the adjoining Aguinaldo State Dining Room.
Malacanang Music Room
Burns holds the highest rank among career ambassadors in the State Department and is so far the highest US official to meet with President Aquino since he assumed office on June 30.
Talking to Palace reporters after his audience with the President, Burns said his visit underscores US President Barack Obama’s determination to renew and extend the US-Philippines partnership in the spirit of mutual respect.
“I am delighted to be here in Manila, and very pleased to have the opportunity to convey congratulations and best regards from President Obama to President Aquino,” Burns told Palace reporters.
During the visit, Burns discussed with President Aquino a range of issues including bilateral relations, ASEAN concerns and the efforts of the new Philippine government towards poverty reduction, health, education, job creation, protection of human rights, judicial reforms and improvement of accountability and transparency. They also discussed the status of US development assistance to the country, especially in Mindanao, where Burns is scheduled to visit.
“I emphasize that the US wants to do everything we can in health, in progress, and in all of those areas which we saw important to creating a better future for the people of the Philippines,” said Burns.
Asked about the significance of his scheduled trip to Mindanao, Burns said it is an indication of the continuing commitment of the US to working with the Philippine government in trying to create a greater sense of economic fruitfulness throughout the Philippines, including Mindanao.
“We contribute a considerable percentage of our development assistance in the Philippines and I look forward to the opportunity to observe some of those programs. And we do take pride in the advice and training that our security forces can contribute as well as the efforts of the Philippine government. This is an ongoing effort,” Burns said.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III receives William Burns, United States Under Secretary for Political Affairs, during a courtesy call on him Tuesday (July 20) at Malacanang’s Music Room. (EXEQUIEL SUPERA-OPS/NIB Photo
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