Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday (January 10) called on Metro Manila local government units to prepare a list of informal settler families in their areas who will be the target beneficiaries of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

“Ang isang panaginip ng bawat Pilipino ay isang bahay. Now, we have the President’s flagship housing program. Hindi ba’t maganda na dito sa kalakhang Maynila, may pabahay din tayo?”

“Tayo po ay nakikipagtulungan sa Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) upang maisagawa ang napakagandang plano ng ating Pangulo,” the Secretary added.

Launched in September 2022, the 4PH is the flagship housing program initiative of the President, which aims to build one million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s 6.5 million housing backlog.

In the first Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting this year, Abalos said the DHSUD, other government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector, will also identify lands to be used as ‘staging areas’ to prevent the displacement of families during the transition period.

These staging areas, which will be chosen from nearby government or privately-owned properties and idle lands, will serve as temporary residential spaces for informal settler families (ISFs) during the construction of their new houses.

“Kapalit ng konting discomfort sa isa or dalawang taon ay isang bahay na talagang matatawag niyong inyo at meron ding titulo,” he said, adding that the City of Mandaluyong had already successfully implemented this strategy during his tenure as mayor.

Abalos said there are 170,000 planned housing units spanning across 55 projects in Metro Manila, which he says is a significant step towards achieving the 4PH’s ‘Zero-ISF’ goal by 2028.

Speaking on behalf of the Metro Manila Mayors, MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora pledged the council’s fullest support towards the program, and assured beneficiaries that the chosen staging areas will be near their current place of residence to avoid displacement during the construction period.

Also present during the meeting were DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, and MMDA Chairman Don Artes, among others.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-No-displacement-in-the-implementation-of-PBBMs-4PH-Housing-Program/NC-2024-1005