President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is very focused and hands-on in monitoring the progress of the administration’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said Thursday.
“Nakita na po natin yung solusyon para sa kakulangan sa pabahay, at ang atin pong Pangulo ay nakatutok po rito… Almost every week naghahanap po ang PMS (Presidential Management Staff) kung ano na po ang nagagawa namin sa aming department lalo na sa pabahay, (We have already seen the solution to the housing problem, and our President is focused on this. Almost every week, the PMS has been asking our department for progress reports on the housing projects),” Acuzar said in a statement, referring to the regular reporting on the progress of 4PH to Malacañang to ensure its smooth implementation.
“Naniniwala po ang ating Presidente sa ating programa… dahil ito pong pabahay na ito ay diretso sa mahihirap ang tama. Sila po ang makikinabang dito – isang bagay na lagi pong hinahangad ng ating Pangulo (Our President believes in our housing program because it directly benefits the poor. The poor will be the ones to benefit from this – which is always the goal of our President),” he said.
He said another testament of Marcos’ focus and dedication to look after the welfare of homeless Filipinos through the 4PH Program is his untiring efforts to inspect ongoing housing programs, and his presence in groundbreaking ceremonies across the country.
Last Monday, Marcos inspected the ongoing construction of the Crystal Peak Estates in Barangay Del Carmen, San Fernando, Pampanga which is enrolled under the flagship 4PH.
The project is a 9.8-hectare multi-story development to benefit more than 10,200 families in the public and private sector, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and personnel of the local government, Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Ang site inspection na ito ay parte lamang ng proseso upang matiyak natin na maitayo ang mga Pambansang Pabahay para sa mga Pilipino (This site inspection is only part of the process for us to ensure that all Pambansang Pabahay for Filipinos will be built),” Marcos said in his speech.
The President initiated the first site inspection under 4PH in Marikina City October last year.
The President has also graced various Pambansang Pabahay events since its launching in September last year, including groundbreaking activities in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Cebu and Quezon City.
So far, there are around 20 projects in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that are now in various stages of ground activities and construction.
Marcos has also vowed to work for the issuance of an executive order that will mandate the use of government idle lands for housing.
He also urged Congress to prioritize the allocation of funds for Pambansang Pabahay, resulting in a significant increase in DHSUD’s budget under the 2024 National Expenditure Program.
“PBBM’s commitment, as we have seen in his presence, continues to inspire us at DHSUD to give it our best. I cannot overemphasize the value of this in boosting our morale to better serve the Filipino people,” Acuzar said.
The 4PH aims to address the country’s 6.5 housing need by building 1 million units annually until 2028. DHSUD, as the primary government agency in the management of housing, human settlements and urban development, is tasked to lead the program.
As of June 30, DHSUD has signed memoranda of understanding with 155 local government units around the country, and has broken ground for 28 housing projects. (PNA)
