The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already started the construction of around 1.2 million housing units under the government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH).

This was confirmed by Marcos in a media interview in San Jose del Monte City, following his attendance at various events in Bulacan province on Wednesday.

“So kung maka-start tayo (So if we can start)… What are we now? Ten months? Ten months. Nag-1.2 million na si (Housing) Secretary Jerry [Jose Rizalino Acuzar]. Tingnan natin. Basta’t ipagpatuloy (Secretary Jerry has already started [the construction[ of 1.2 million units. We’ll see. I assure you that we will keep up with this),” Marcos said.

This exceeds the target of the administration to build 1 million homes annually over the next six years.

Marcos said the government could conduct an inspection of the housing units to monitor the project implementation.

“I think we just wait for the actual structures to start coming up. ‘Yan, puntahan din natin ‘yan pagka nangyari na (We should visit the sites once it happens),” he said.

The President expressed confidence that Acuzar could ensure proper implementation of the flagship housing program given the latter’s track record.

“Malaking kumpiyansa ko kasi noong nasa private sector siya nagagawa niya talaga eh. Alam niyang gawin eh (I am confident because he [Acuzar] was able to deliver when he was still in the private sector. He knows what to do),” Marcos said.

Marcos led the groundbreaking of six housing projects in Bulacan, which could generate up to 30,000 shelter units.

A total of 12,563 housing units will be constructed during the initial phase of the six projects.

The housing projects include the San Rafael Heights Development Project in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael, the Rising City Residential Project in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, San Jose del Monte City, and the Mom’s Ville Homeowners Association Incorporated Project in Barangay Penabatan, Pulilan.

The 4PH Program is aimed at building 1 million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units. (PNA)