Housing production among the lowest 30 percent of the Filipino urban population increased to 48,280 units, which accounts to 88 percent of the total number of target units in 2008, according to the National Housing Authority (NHA).

NHA General Manager Federico Laxa said the data is considered a modest performance in 2008.

The data showed that NHA operating units yielded an aggregate of 48,280 units of housing production/assistance from 72 projects nationwide, which accounts for 88 percent of the 55,074 target units.

Laxa said it is also higher than the previous year’s level of 42,551 units and the average performance of 32,785 units for the last five years (2004-2008).

He attributed the increase in housing production from the Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE) program (88 percent) and rail resettlement project (31 percent), comprising 69 percent of the total production.

He also cited that a total of 22,337 units valued at P3.165 billion, representing 52 percent and 42 percent of target, respectively, were disposed in 2008.

“Sales accomplishment was 20 percent higher than the previous year and 46 percent higher than the average performance of 15,258 units for the past five years,” Laxa said.

“The policy of immediate loan/ sales documentation for units in resettlement areas mostly for the Rail and NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) projects contributed to a higher disposition level,” he added.

NHA also pointed out an increase of 20 percent in collection from installment contracts, from P680 million to P820 million, with the implementation of collection outsourcing in the National Capital Region pilot areas.

The NHA is mandated under Presidential Decree 757 dated July 31, 1975 to engage in shelter production focusing on the housing needs of the lowest 30 percent of the urban population.