The livelihood and skills training for beneficiaries of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program is key to the sustainability of the flagship program.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar thus said, citing the significance of employment and sustained livelihood for beneficiaries to the 4PH's success.

As part of the highlights of this year's National Shelter Month celebration, DHSUD and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a memorandum of agreement that will pave the way for the provision of training to 4PH beneficiaries.

Acuzar said that having the necessary skills will ensure 4PH beneficiaries' livelihood and stable employment.

The housing czar stressed that it is important that 4PH beneficiaries could establish livelihood or stable jobs within the vicinities of government housing projects, which is what President Marcos' concept of sustainable human settlements and township development is all about.

"Hindi lamang po basta pabahay ang 4PH kundi pagkakaroon ng stable livelihood para sa matatag na pamumuhay sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga poorest of the poor. Sila ang mas kailangan natin tulungan at sila po ang palaging nasa isip ng Pangulo, " Acuzar said.

"Mas magiging sustainable po ang Pambansang Pabahay kapag may stable livelihood o employment ang mga beneficiaries. May sources of income ang ating mga kababayan. At lalong dadami po ang makikinabang dahil sa pagsulong ng programa," he added.

The MOA between DHSUD and TESDA is expected to fill in the gaps in existing industries in areas where the beneficiaries of housing projects are located.

Under the MOA, DHSUD is tasked to gather data on the preferred skills of beneficiaries and provide TESDA with the list of participants for the training, among other related responsibilities.

"Sisiguraduhin natin na akma ang makukuhang training ng ating mga beneficiaries para makapagtrabaho sa mga industriyang malapit sa kanilang pagbabahayan…naniniwala po ako na bigyan lamang ng tamang oportunidad ang Pilipino, kakayanin nito na tumayo sa sariling paa at umunlad ang kabuhayan," Acuzar said.