The government is targeting to expand the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program to include building other facilities in education as well as in healthcare, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Marcos made the statement following the historic simultaneous launch of six housing projects in six cities and municipalities in Bulacan province.

A total of 12,563 housing units will be constructed at the initial phase of these Bulacan housing projects, and it could reach around 30,000 shelter units when expanded into additional phases.

Marcos said the scope of the flagship housing program could be expanded to include the construction of health and education facilities.

He said the administration’s goal is to build 1 million housing units annually until 2028 to address the housing backlog in the country pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

“Sa pamamagitan po ng proyektong ito, maisasakatuparan [ng] libu-libong Bulakenyo ang pangarap nila na magkaroon ng maayos at abot-kayang bahay na matatawag nilang sariling tahanan (Through this project, thousands of Bulakenyos could attain their dreams of having nice and affordable houses that they could call home),” Marcos said during groundbreaking of the 4PH Program.

Marcos and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar led the groundbreaking ceremonies in San Jose Del Monte City, Pulilan and San Rafael, while DHSUD key officials along with local government units (LGUs) executives presided over the activities in Pandi, Guiguinto and Malolos City.

Around 3,920 residential condominium units will be initially constructed for the seven-hectare San Rafael Heights Township Development Project in San Rafael.

To date, the DHSUD has signed more than 130 memoranda of understanding with various LGUs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao since the launching of 4PH last September. (PNA)