The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) started the delivery of the first batch of housing units under national housing program before 2024 ended.
Launched in September 2022, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program was declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship program by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 34.
It shifted the national housing program to vertical or multi-story buildings to maximize land use.
“Ang 4PH po ang nabuo nating formula para lutasin ang housing backlog. Kailangan lamang po na hanapan ng paraan para mas bilisan ang mga proseso at ma-maximize ang resources ng gobyerno (The 4PH’s formula was created to solve our housing backlog. We just need to find ways to speed up the processes and maximize the government’s resources),” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.
The program primarily spends private funds, receiving wide support from local government units, government financial institutions, private banks, and developers and contractors.
On Dec. 17, Marcos awarded the first batch of 4PH units to overseas Filipino workers at Malacañan Palace in Manila, in collaboration with the DHSUD, Department of Migrant Workers, Presidential Communications Office and other concerned government agencies.
“Simula na po ito ng tuluy-tuloy na turnover at delivery ng 4PH units. Sa mga susunod na buwan ay marami pang 4PH units ang ating i-aaward (This is the start of continuous turn over and delivery of 4PH units. More 4PH units will be awarded in the coming months),” Acuzar said.
A total of 56 projects are simultaneously being developed and constructed in different parts of the country. Some condominium-type buildings are already completed and ready for distribution.
Disaster response, urban renewal
The DHSUD launched the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) and the distribution of housing materials and essentials (HOMEs) to aid calamity victims.
Under IDSAP, unconditional cash assistance of PHP30,000 are provided to families whose houses are totally damaged.
Meanwhile, PHP10,000 are given to those with partially-damaged shelters due to calamity, either man-made or natural.
As of Dec. 13, more than PHP130 million of the PHP200 million IDSAP fund have been utilized to assist disaster victims. Some 6,000 families received the cash assistance.
HOMEs were distributed to thousands of families in Bicol Region following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in October.
Each kit is composed of galvanized iron sheets, plywood, lumber and nails, amounting to about PHP15,000 each.
The DHSUD was also tasked to lead the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD), which is in-charge of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project.
It aims to bring back the glory of the waterway and maximize economic potentials through tourism and transportation connectivity.
The rehabilitation of the Pasig River and its tributaries was declared one of the national government’s priorities by virtue of EO 35.
So far, the IAC-PRUD has opened the 500-meter showcase area at the back of the Manila Central Post Office up to the entrance of Intramuros near Plaza Mexico.
The Pasay City Staging Area was completed to ensure there is no displacement of informal settler families applying for 4PH. It has amenities like playground, commercial stalls and a day care center.
‘Planado’ program
In February, the DHSUD launched its nationwide Plan and Do (Planado) Program to enhance the land use planning and urban development in the country.
It focuses on two major outputs — zero backlog on Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) and Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFP) by 2028, and to promote urban development for the next generation.
It also aims to streamline and digitalize land use and urban planning and development processes to create smart, green, resilient and inclusive human settlements.
From January to September 2024, the DHSUD issued license to sell (LS) to 367 projects, which equate to 143,301 residential units.
The issuance of LS protects homebuyers from unscrupulous developers and transactions since it requires the conformance of these projects with the prescribed standards.
A cumulative data of 138 CLUPs and PDPFPs for sustainable and resilient human settlements have been processed by the department as well.
Fifty-eight CLUPs and four PDPFPs were approved, while 65 CLUPs and 11 PDPFPs are for finalization, adoption and approval.
Meanwhile, 26,307 registered homeowners’ associations, 224 federations and 36 confederations are registered and monitored around the country as of September 2024.
Acuzar said the department encountered challenges in terms of funding requirements and bureaucratic processes.
“That is why we formulated concepts and programs that can attract private funds. The government alone cannot solve the decades-old housing woes and the massive urbanization,” he said. (PNA)
