Informal settler families living along danger zones are among the priority sectors under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program.

This was stressed by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar following last Thursday’s fatal incident along Estero de Magdalena in Manila.

Three individuals living along Estero De Magdalena died amid the heavy rains that caused a huge tree to collapse on the victim’s houses. Several others were injured.

Acuzar said the administration is pursuing a plan to cover all those living along danger zones, adding that the program is wholistically planned to implement practical solutions considering all facets of development.

He said DHSUD will commence development initiatives once the ISFs are transferred to safer grounds and the sites are cleared.

As an assurance of continuous assistance, Secretary Acuzar said the housing projects in these areas will prioritize the relocated ISFs as beneficiaries to give them a chance to have a house of their own.

Led by DHSUD as the primary government agency responsible for human settlements and urban development, the 4PH program intends to build and dispense 1 million housing units per year until 2028 as a move to address the country’s housing gap at 6.5 million units.

The program promotes in-city, mixed-use development to maximize land area and ensure sustainability of housing communities.