The Pasay City project, part of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, stands as a pioneering effort by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in driving urban renewal and redeveloping informal settlements in the National Capital Region.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar emphasized that under Republic Act 11201, the Department’s mandate includes urban development, transforming blighted areas into thriving, sustainable townships. “The 4PH project in Pasay City is more than just housing; it is a model for our urban renewal and redevelopment efforts, focusing on the welfare of informal settler families as directed by President Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Secretary Acuzar stated.
“This initiative is not merely about providing homes; it will be a showcase of how we can transform areas along waterways into more pleasant and prosperous communities,” he added.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on July 5 between DHSUD, the local government of Pasay City, and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), ensuring the smooth implementation of the project. The MOA includes establishing a staging area for informal settler families (ISFs) who will be relocated during the construction phase of the 4PH project until their permanent housing units are ready.
Development of temporary shelters in the staging area is already underway. Secretary Acuzar highlighted the initiative as another “tatak PBBM” project, prioritizing the welfare of ordinary citizens and promoting a whole-of-government approach.
The Pasay project is the first of its kind under the 4PH program, ensuring no beneficiary families are displaced while their new homes are being built within their host city. “This project under the MOA will serve as a showcase not only for the 4PH Program but also for our aspirations for urban renewal and redevelopment. Pasay City will be the pilot area for our urban renewal program, part of DHSUD’s mandate for urban development,” Secretary Acuzar said.
The agreement includes constructing temporary shelters using prefabricated materials and developing a livable community for qualified ISFs from a blighted zone in the city. The strategically located in-city staging area is near the airport and about two kilometers from the informal settlement to be transformed into a township.
The staging area will feature amenities such as an open park, playground, basketball court, and more. “As instructed by our beloved President, no one will be displaced, and the needs of our underprivileged citizens will be prioritized. This pilot staging area will serve as a model for our other urban renewal and transformation projects in various parts of the country,” Secretary Acuzar emphasized.
