BAGUIO CITY – In accordance to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Special Order (S.O) Nos. 112, 113, and 114 series of 2024, DA-Cordillera (DA-CAR) OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan formally transfers her duties and responsibilities as the officer-in-charge of the Human Settlements and Development Corporation-Maharlika Livelihood Complex (HSDC-MLC) to its newest general manager (GM), Major General Robert M. Arevallo (Ret.) on January 29, 2024 in Baguio City as ex-officio member of the Transition Management Committee for HSDC.
The transfer is part of the transition period of the MLC to be transferred to the city government of Baguio by April 2025, after a 50-year contract.
The HSDC, which was created in 1978 by then president Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. as the corporate arm of the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements, was under the supervision of DA since 2000 by virtue of EO 233, as the Livelihood Corporation (Executive Order No. 866, s. 1983), the Human Settlements Development Corporation (Presidential Decree No. 1386, s. 1973) and their subsidiaries (i.e. National Agri-Business Corporation, Northern Foods Corp., Philippine Genetics, Inc., etc.) are all engaged in agri-related livelihood undertakings catering to the needs of the underprivileged sector.
Since December 2022, RED Dawayan was designated to oversee the HSDC-MLC TMC under a Special Order from the Office of the Secretary when she was still the Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations. Her designation concluded last January 25, 2024.
Arevalo said that he will lay out plans and strategies that will aid the marching orders of the Secretary, that includes increasing the income, and prolonging the life of the MLC.
As the building is already old and not far off from fires and other catastrophe, he added security and maintenance as he said that he did not want to transfer the MLC to the city government dilapidated.
Pursuant to the Special Orders, Major General Arevalo (Ret.) is expected to ensure the continuity of the liquidation and winding-up of HSDC and perform duties and responsibilities directed to him until the order superseded and/or revoked. By CEWaytan