President Marcos and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar led the “mega groundbreaking” recently of six housing projects in Bulacan, which aims to generate up to 30,000 shelter units.
The historic simultaneous launching is part of the continuing rollout of the administration’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program aimed at building one million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units.
A total of 12, 563 housing units will be constructed during the initial phase of the six projects. But based on the submitted master development plans, the projects could generate about 30,000 shelters when expanded into additional phases.
Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude as the administration’s flagship housing program reached the grassroots and their respective areas. They branded 4PH as a huge step towards realizing their dream of owning a house of their own.
Farmer Ruben Avila Sr., from San Jose Del Monte City said, “Pinakamaganda nga ‘yung programa na para magkaroon (ng bahay) ang mga tao na walang bahay, lalung-lalo na ako, wala akong sariling lupa, walang sariling bahay kaya magpapasalamat sa Presidente kung magkakaroon kami o ako man lang o kaming lahat ditong mga magsasaka.”
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pangulong Marcos…at nabigyan kami ng ganitong pagkakataon na magkaroon ng pabahay dito sa aming lugar. Nagpapasalamat po kami dahil sa bandang huli syempre yung mga anak namin magkakaroon ng matatawag na sariling kanila po, para sa amin,” said Marissa Sepato, a volunteer from Brgy. Balato, Pulilan, Bulacan.
The groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted in San Jose Del Monte City, Pulilan, San Rafael–where President Marcos and Secretary Acuzar led the events, and in Pandi, Guiguinto and Malolos City where DHSUD key officials along with LGU executives presided over the activities.
In Barangay Gaya-gaya, San Jose Del Monte City, the Rising City Residential Project composed of nine eight-story buildings with initial target of at least 1,890 housing units and commercial area on a 6.9-hectare (ha) was the first site inaugurated.
This was followed by the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael town for the seven-ha San Rafael Heights Development Project where 3,920 residential condominium units would be initially constructed.
Pulilan saw the inauguration of the Mom’s Ville Homeowners Association Inc. project in Barangay Penabatan, which will be composed initially of eight 10-story residential buildings with 1,920 housing units in a two-ha property.
“I am very thankful to President Marcos for his all-out support to 4PH. I also commend LGUs for their cooperation and eagerness in pursuing this endeavor that will not only present affordable and resilient homes to Filipino families, but will also elevate their quality of living as they can now rest assured that they will live in safe and self-sustaining communities without moving away from their hometowns and sources of livelihood,” Acuzar said.