DHSUD meets sectoral groups for inclusive housing program 

The Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Tuesday met leaders of sectoral groups – – highlighting the inclusivity of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF 2028 Program.

DHSUD Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Garry De Guzman led the dialogue with the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Masang Pilipino (KAMPIL), Pilipino Drivers Transport Academy Philippines (PDTap), and Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO).

“This engagement with sectoral groups underscores the inclusivity of the administration’s housing program. That every Filipino family can take part of the Pambansang Pabahay Program,” said Undersecretary De Guzman.

The dialogue was focused on the policy formulation on how the Department can assist the members of the groups in their quest for their dream homes.

In a consultative meeting at the DHSUD Central Office, Undersecretary De Guzman, assisted by Assistant Secretary-designate Sharon Faith Paquiz, addressed queries regarding the program raised by the leaders of KAMPIL, PDTap and PADPAO.

The Undersecretary also acknowledged the inputs from the sector group, and he expressed DHSUD’s readiness to assist them in capacitating their group on estate management and payment collection efficiency.

Under the program, according to De Guzman, sectoral groups may tie-up with host local government units in managing the housing units for their members.

“We also see your groups as one of the key partners in providing affordable homes to middle-income and low-income earners,” said Undersecretary De Guzman after learning that sectoral groups have established business relationship with local developers.

Orlando Marquez, PDTAP National President, expressed his support to the housing program citing the benefit for their homeless members which include jeepney, bus, taxi, van, and tricycle drivers.

For its part, the PADPAO team requested technical assistance from DHSUD to access development loans from the Development Bank of the Philippines which has already entered into an MOU with DHSUD in support of the housing program.

Speaking for low-income earners and informal settler families in Teresa, Rizal province, KAMPIL Chairperson Jervino Maglunob assured DHSUD that they are more than willing to participate and ready to implement, applying their best practices in building homes for its members.

DHSUD is enjoining more sectoral groups to join the call to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

President Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF 2028 Program aims to build 1 million units every year in the next six years.

To date, the DHSUD has conducted groundbreaking ceremonies in several areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and engaged LGUs to suppprt the program.