PBBM's "Pambansang Pabahay" earns grassroots support in Mindanao and Northern Luzon

Mindanaoans continue to express support for the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. Recently, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE) pledged to work together to carry out housing projects under the 4PH Program. DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Secretary Leo Tereso Magno of OPAMINE signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) during a visit at the DHSUD Central Office in Quezon City, sealing the partnership.

Both officials highlighted that the Pambansang Pabahay Program is a tangible testament to President Marcos Jr.'s sincere concern for ordinary Filipinos, particularly those in Mindanao. With the MOU in place, the DHSUD-OPAMINE will closely collaborate to undertake housing projects in Eastern Mindanao, which includes the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro. Secretary Acuzar emphasized that DHSUD needs the cooperation of other government offices like OPAMINE to achieve the President’s objective of addressing the country’s housing needs.

Meanwhile, in Northern Luzon, three more municipalities in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan and Aparri have signed up for the 4PH. The municipalities of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Santa Praxedes in Cagayan, and Aparri signed MOUs with DHSUD on Thursday. The Pambansang Pabahay Program aims to build one million houses annually until 2028 to address the 6.5 million housing backlog. Since its launching in September, at least 15 local government units throughout the country have started construction on their respective housing projects, while 73 others have signed MOUs, indicating their intention to enroll in the Pambansang Pabahay Program.

The program has received the support of various government financial institutions, headed by the Pag-IBIG Fund, which earmarked P250 billion for the 4PH. The President pledged to secure the initial P1 billion funding this year for interest support. The government is steadfast in its commitment to address the housing crisis in the country, and with more government offices and LGUs joining the program, the 4PH is poised to transform the lives of many Filipinos.