PULILAN, Bulacan, Philippines — Good news for regular and lifetime members of the National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines for they will have the opportunity to own a house and lot in Barangay Tibag, here, soon.

NPC officials laid a time capsule last Saturday on a large tract of land near the Pulilan exit of the North Luzon Expressway in Barangay Tibag – the site where the NPC Village is planned to rise.

Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado said the time capsule contains the construction plans for the first 11 housing units of the NPC Village.

The project is supported by presidential sister Elena “Ballsy” Aquino Cruz, Pulilan Mayor Vicente B. Esguerra, Sr. and Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, Chief Executive Officer of Pag-IBIG Fund.

“The NPC Village is a low-cost housing project in partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund that will extend soft loans to qualified journalist-borrowers. It is in line with NPC efforts to uplift the living conditions of members,” said NPC President Jerry Yap.

Former NPC president and current Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima) President Benny Antiporda said the NPC has resolved to allocate P6 million from its funds to begin construction of the 48 housing units which will be sold to NPC members at very minimal cost.

Other NPC partners have even vowed to help underwrite the downpayment and other expenses that would be required from journalist-borrowers.

“Each house will have enough room for the family. There will also be a car port and a provision for the construction of a loft. This will be the NPC’s legacy to its members,” Antiporda, who co-chairs the housing project with NPC secretary Louie Logarta, said.