Pambansang Pabahay to generate 1.7-M jobs

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is optimistic that the national government's "Pambansang Pabahay Program" will generate up to 1.7 million jobs for Filipinos and will trigger around 80 allied industries to invest in the housing sector.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar reiterated the government's goal of providing accessible, safe, and resilient housing units to more Filipinos, particularly marginalized ones and low-income earners.

"We are not only addressing the housing gap but we also aim to create job opportunities and tap the economic pump-priming potentials of the real estate industry," Acuzar said.

He also disclosed that the DHSUD has already gained support from the League of Cities of the Philippines, which the housing czar described as a "significant progress" to the government's primary target of addressing at least 6.5 million housing backlogs.

Acuzar emphasized the vital roles of the local government units in the successful implementation of the "Pambansang Pabahay" Program — beginning from project conceptualization and planning to beneficiaries' identification as well as ensuring the sustainability of the program.

With close coordination of the national government and LGUs, Acuzar believed that the one million housing production target annually would "be achievable and will make a difference."