The first-ever horizontal housing units under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program were turned over to beneficiaries in Occidental Mindoro on Sunday.

During a simple ceremony attended by officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and local government unit (LGU), newly-completed housing units under the Mamburao Ville Socialized Housing Project in Barangay Payompon, Mamburao were turned over to the beneficiaries.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling branded the event as a huge milestone, barely seven months after including horizontal development or subdivision-type housing under the Expanded 4PH.

Upon his assumption last May, Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling recalibrated the 4PH to include more housing modalities, such as horizontal development.

Previously, 4PH was only focused on vertical or condominium-type housing.

He stressed that the project is in direct response to the President’s directive to accelerate the delivery of decent, affordable, and safe housing nationwide.

“Ito mismo ang utos ng Pangulong Marcos Jr., pabilisin at palawakin ang programa para sa kapakinabangan ng mas nakararaming pamilyang Pilipino (This is precisely the order of President Marcos Jr., to accelerate and expand the program for the benefit of more Filipino families),” Aliling said.

The Mamburao Ville project spans more than 41,000 square meters and consists of 415 house-and-lot units classified as socialized housing.

The development includes open spaces, parks and playgrounds, and an elevated water tank to support a healthy and sustainable community.

Aliling said strong collaboration between the government and the private sector remains vital in meeting the country’s housing needs.

“Sa tulong ng pribadong sektor at ng lokal na pamahalaan, mas napapalapit natin ang pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino—ang magkaroon ng sariling tahanan at isang marangal na pamumuhay (With the help of the private sector and local government, we are bringing closer the dream of every Filipino family—to have their own home and a dignified life),” he said.

DHSUD reaffirmed its commitment to advance inclusive and sustainable housing projects nationwide, in line with the President’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino family can enjoy dignified lives through housing. (PNA)