MANILA - The head of the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Tuesday announced that it will be launching the new design of housing units for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

This, after the takeover of housing projects intended for them by members of the urban poor group, Kadamay.

According to NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr., the new design will see an increase in lot sizes, as well as the floor areas of each unit as agreed upon by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"That is in city, low rise building and a duplex instead of a row house with due compliance on the requirements and instruction of the President to increase and double the size from 22 to 44, from 40 to 80 (square meters)," said NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr.

More than 4,000 members of Kadamay took over unoccupied housing units of the AFP-PNP in Pandi, Bulacan last March.

Early this month, Duterte allowed Kadamay members to live in the houses they occupied in Bulacan.

But he promised AFP-PNP beneficiaries of occupied units in Bulacan that he will give them better, more comfortable and bigger units.

Escalada also believes there are failures in the AFP-PNP housing project.

"For one, it has been the general sentiments of our qualified beneficiaries and as evidenced by the low occupancy, is a manifestation of non-conformity, non-adherence to standards and probably the welfare of our qualified beneficiaries," he said.

During the Senate inquiry into the takeover, members of the AFP and PNP said they were not consulted on the planning of the housing units for them.

"If we were consulted, we would have participated in the design," said Police Superintendent Antonio Taylan, director of Engineering Service of the PNP.

Lt. Col. Leonido Yanson of the AFP Housing Board, meanwhile, said that the location of the units is too far from where they live.

For his part, Escalada promised that the NHA will coordinate with AFP-PNP beneficiaries.

"I will promise the committee and members of the AFP-PNP board to consult, strengthen our relationship. That is our commitment for 2017 and onwards," he said.