Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a housing project with the provincial government of Camarines Sur.

Camarines Sur Gov. Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte, along with other provincial officials, signed the agreement with Acuzar at the DHSUD Central Office in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon, with key officials of the agency as witnesses.

The MOU with Camarines Sur is the 29th signed by DHSUD with various LGUs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao since the launch of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program” in August.

It will pave the way for a planned vertical housing project in Barangay Concepcion, Naga City, targeting 10,000 units.

In his message, Acuzar said: “This (MOU signing) is just the start of a much challenging work ahead, not only for us at DHSUD but for all of us, especially the local government. Upang maging matagumpay ang programang ito, kailangan nating magsama-sama at magtulung-tulong, magkaisa para sa pangarap ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na isulong ang pamumuhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng maayos na tahanan at maunlad na komunidad (In order to make this program successful, we need to come together and help one another, unite for the dream of President Marcos Jr. to uplift the life of every Filipino family through a comfortable home and progressive community).”

Villafuerte lauded Acuzar and DHSUD for going the extra mile even on a Sunday to sign the MOU.

The governor was accompanied by Camarines Sur Second District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. and Board Member Niño Tayco.

Under President Marcos’ flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, DHSUD is tasked to build 1 million houses annually in the next six years to address the country’s housing backlog placed at more than 6.5 million units.

Acuzar highlighted the important role of the local government units (LGUs) in the flagship housing program — from planning and conceptualization up to the identification of beneficiaries and even to the estate management and sustainability of the projects.

“We, at DHSUD, are inspired by the enthusiasm and support of our LGUs to the program…with this, I know that we are up for the challenge and we are right on track,” he said. (PNA)