DHSUD highlights affordable housing, urban renewal on National Shelter Month 

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Monday highlighted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrusts in the housing and urban development sector under Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance during the opening of the National Shelter Month 2024 (NSM 2024).

This year’s theme, “Matibay na Tahanan, Matatag na Komunidad Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” stressed the administration’s goal of providing safe, decent yet affordable housing and sustainable urban renewal under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the PLANADO (Plan & Do) Program and the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) project.

In his NSM 2024 message, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar gave emphasis on the importance of sustained engagements with all stakeholders to ensure collaboration between the public and private sectors, and further propel vibrancy in the housing and real estate industry through the three major programs of DHSUD.

“Under these programs, we are not merely building houses, we are transforming communities into resilient and sustainable living spaces with utmost consideration to the protection of the environment, and we are improving the way of life of our people,” Secretary Acuzar stated.

“Sa ilalim ng mga programang ito, isusulong natin ang mga ‘Pamayanang Bago para sa Bagong Mamamayan’ na may malasakit sa kapwa, sa kapaligiran at sa bayan,” he added.

In his key speech, DHSUD Undersecretary Avelino Tolentino III rallied all stakeholders to align efforts in helping realize the dream of every Filipino family to have a house of their own.

“Big words and an even bigger task, I must say, and many challenges remain along our way. But we have to be bold in pursuing 4PH to address homelessness,” Undersecretary Tolentino said.

“That is why, we call on everyone in the sector to start turning these challenges into opportunities, and align all our efforts toward this shared goal of providing matitibay na tahanan, matatag na komunidad para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

During Monday’s opening program held at DHSUD Central in Quezon City, officials and employees of the Department, its key shelter agencies (KSAs) and other guests from the private sector witnessed the ribbon cutting for the week-long housing fair located at the ground floor of DHSUD Building.

Open to accepting guests and visitors from October 7 to 11, the housing fair offers services from DHSUD’s key shelter agencies such as the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Human Settlements Adjudication Commission and the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Some private companies are also showcasing their projects during the housing fair.

Undersecretary Randy Escolango, head of the NSM 2024 technical working group which organized the nationwide month-long activities, said that the opening program was held Monday to coincide with the observance of the World Habitat Day.

“This is to show that DHSUD is one with the global stakeholders in the promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient housing through active engagements,” Undersecretary Escolango said.