The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), together with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE), is eyeing to build 380,000 housing units in the Davao Region as part of the national housing program of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In his speech on Thursday afternoon during the launch of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program here, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the number forms part of the 6 million housing units that would be constructed in the country within six years under the current administration.

“Our mission is hard. We need to respond to the 6.5 million housing backlogs in the country. It is not only a roof in their heads we are providing, but we will also provide the poor and marginalized Filipinos a decent housing,” he said.

Acuzar also thanked the partner agencies, as well as heads of the local government units (LGUs) who supported the program.

“Rest assured that DHSUD will give full support to this program,” he added.

In the same event, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DHSUD and five LGUs in the region were also inked.

The DHSUD signed the MOA with the cities of Mati and Davao; while it inked the MOU with Digos City in Davao del Sur, the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, and Nabunturan municipality in Davao de Oro province.

“Our partnership is a step to realize the 4PH in their respective cities and towns. We also did the launching in time of our National Shelter Month celebration,” Acuzar said, adding that the collaboration intends to provide decent and affordable shelter to the poorest of the poor.

Meanwhile, OPAMINE Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno noted that his role in the endeavor is to look for LGUs to join the 4PH program.

Over the past months, he said, the OPAMINE has been busy meeting with several LGUs that are interested in joining the program.

“In Davao Region alone, we are targeting 380,000 housing units to be distributed to those who are in need. However, we are expecting that this number will increase as soon as people can see the start of the construction of the actual housing project,” Magno said.

In February, the DHSUD and the OPAMINE joined hands for the implementation of the 4PH in Mindanao.

Both offices agreed to help each other ensure that the mega-housing project would benefit the homeless, especially in OPAMINE’s area of Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga. (PNA)