More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will have a chance to purchase their dream houses under the Pambansang Pabahay Program Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
On Sunday, OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Pambansang Pabahay Program para sa mga OFW.
“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., kay Secretary Acuzar at sa buong DHSUD sa agarang aksyon na maisakatuparan ang isa sa pinakatanging pangarap ng ating mga OFWs — ang magkaroon ng sariling tirahan (I’m greatly thankful to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to Secretary Acuzar and to the entire DHSUD for the swift accomplishment of this important dream of our OFWs – to have their own houses),” Magsino said during the signing.
The MOA includes the allocation of units in the DHSUD projects to OFWs, returnees and their family members.
DHSUD will provide the details of housing projects in the pipeline, which the OFW Party-list can match with OFWs who have signified their intention to be prospective beneficiaries. It will then manage the assessment and pre-qualification of the validated and endorsed beneficiaries of the project.
DHSUD’s 4PH Program aims to achieve the country’s estimated 6.5 million housing needs by constructing 1 million units per year until 2028.
DHSUD has signed agreements with 123 local government units all over the country.
The Department has 364 ongoing projects, 10 of which are in the construction stage in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Marikina City and Quezon City in Metro Manila; Tanauan City, Batangas; Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Biñan City, Laguna; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur; Ilagan City, Isabela; Roxas province; and Northern Samar province.
“Prior to being a legislator, I was actively involved in the housing industry as chair of the National Real Estate Association, thus, there is a strong bond that ties up two of my primary advocacies: that of providing decent and affordable housing to our people, and that of the aspiration of our OFWs to realize their long-cherished dream of acquiring their own homes for their families, upon their return and retirement,” Magsino said.
“That is why I consider our Pambansang Pabahay Program para sa mga OFWs with DHSUD a major accomplishment in my first term as representative of the OFW Party-list.” (PNA)
Photo credit: Philippine Information Agency Official Website