‘Pambansang Pabahay’ reaches new milestone

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) recorded another milestone in the implementation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program.

On Monday, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Quezon Province Governor Angelina Tan led the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the provincial government and 31 municipalities and the Department under the 4PH Program.

The following day, Puerto Gallera was added to the list after an MOU signing between DHSUD and the LGU.

This brought to 123 the total number of MOUs signed with various local government units (LGUs) throughout the country since the 4PH Program was launched last September.

The signing of MOU is the initial step in the 4PH Program’s process of constructing and dispensing affordable, accessible, safe and resilient homes to targeted beneficiaries, especially the informal settler families and low-income earners.

“It warms my heart that LGU leaders throughout the country have thrown their support to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – through the DHSUD – to truly provide our countrymen with homes they can safely and proudly live in,” said Secretary Acuzar during Monday’s signing.

“I thank the LGU chiefs who have partnered and will partner with us, hopefully soon. Thank you for embracing the administration’s vision, and know that by supporting the success of the 4PH, you are quashing the Philippines’ long-enduring pain that is the housing gap. Let the MOUs we have signed represent our unwavering determination to uplift the Filipinos’ quality of living and put an end to homelessness and poverty,” he added.

The Secretary likewise reassured the LGUs of the support the DHSUD would devote in the collaboration, saying “for our part, the Department reassures our LGUs that we will be particular in overseeing the completion and success of the housing projects that will be built and dedicated to our countrymen, mainly to those in the marginalized sector. Similarly, we will do our best in offering schemes to make the ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ more accessible and adequate for you and your constituents.”

Secretary Acuzar, on many occasions, emphasized that the housing programs would introduce more trade and economic activities in the LGUs, thus opening more job opportunities for residents. He also said that the 4PH Program aims to develop blighted lands that are near sources of livelihood to ensure the long-term economic vibrancy of the communities that would be built.

Meanwhile, the number of MOUs to be signed between the Department and local chief executives is expected to increase as the 4PH Program continues its on-the-ground rollout.

A flagship housing program of President Marcos Jr., the 4PH aims to construct six million units by the end of the current administration to address the country’s housing needs pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

Previously, DHSUD received the support of various government financial institutions in the implementation of the 4PH. The Pag-IBIG Fund has already allotted P250 billion in the next six years for the “Pambansang Pabahay.”