Vice President Noli de Castro rallied the members of the League of Cities of the Philippines to lead the government?s housing program in a forum in Mandaluyong City.

Keynoting the 2nd LCP Convention held in Edsa Shangri-La, he said about P57 billion of the P82-billion pro-poor stimulus package has been earmarked to provide decent homes for the poor.

De Castro, also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said a more intensive housing drive was needed for ?officials in the grassroots level [barangays] to inform their local executives of the housing problems in their localities to be able to come up with solutions.?

LCP president and Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos said the housing czar?s call deserved to be heeded by his colleagues.

He told fellow executives to make sure that basic services are delivered despite their different political affiliations.

?The league is apolitical when it comes to discussing measures on how we can effectively attend to the needs of our members? constituents.?

Abalos said ?through LCP, close cooperation are being observed and projects are implemented with ease and many are assisted especially in far-flung areas of the country through the conduct of LCP caravans.? Gigi Mu?oz David