The Pasay City project under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program will pilot the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) urban renewal and redevelopment of informal settlements in the National Capital Region (NCR).

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the department’s mandate under Republic Act 11201 includes urban development that covers transformation of blighted areas into sustainable township developments.

“Hindi lamang po ito pabahay, kundi magiging showcase area ito kung papano natin ita-transform ang mga lugar sa gilid ng mga estero sa mas kaaya-aya at maunlad na komunidad (This not just housing, but this will also be a showcase area on how we’re going to transform places near the estuary into a beautiful and prosperous community),” he said in a news release on Wednesday.

The DHSUD, the local government of Pasay City and the Manila International Airport Authority signed a memorandum of understanding on July 5 for the project implementation.

The MOA covers the establishment of a staging area for informal settler families who will need to be relocated during the construction of the project until the permanent housing units are turned over to qualified beneficiaries.

Development and construction of temporary shelters are ongoing, Acuzar said.

The in-city staging area is strategically located near the airport and about two kilometers from the informal settlement and transformed into a township development.

It will be equipped with amenities like open park, playground, and basketball court.

“Ito po ang bilin ng ating mahal na Pangulo, walang madi-displace at unahin ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan (This is the directive of our beloved President –no one will be displaced and prioritize the poor),” Acuzar said. (PNA)