It’s a job for ‘Iron Man’

 A hard worker and multitasker, he toiled as a cutter-welder in his older brother's iron workshop while completing a vocational course in drafting at the  Bataan National School of Arts and Trades, now the Bataan Peninsula State University.

Born to a humble family in Balanga, Bataan, Secretary Jose Rizalino "Jerry" L. Acuzar built his successful career in real estate practically from scratch.

Acuzar is a self-made businessman who established his career based on hard work and dedication to craft.

In pursuit of further studies, he eventually moved to Manila to complete his bachelor's degree in architecture at the Technological Institute of the Philippines.

Proving to be a self-starter, he set up a small welding business in Quezon City, which was among his means to afford school while working as a draftsman in Tondo, Manila. He also served in the National Housing Authority — before successfully venturing into the real estate business.

Sworn into office as secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, or DHSUD, by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 29 July 2022, Acuzar is behind some of the most prestigious housing and condominium projects in the country, including the internationally acclaimed Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.

As he assumed leadership at DHSUD, he confronted the pressing challenge of bridging the widening disparity between the demand for affordable housing and the availability of such units.

The sheer magnitude of the issue cannot be understated — it looms not in the realm of hundreds of thousands but stretches into the millions — a staggering projected backlog of 6.57 million units as of 2022, as disclosed by the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association.

It was a monumental task for Acuzar to address the pressing need for affordable housing. The 4PH program sets its sights on building one million housing units annually from 2023 to 2028 to confront the country's housing backlog.

It's a job for 'Iron Man.'                                                   

Hence, the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program or 4PH of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was born as the hope in the face of the country's daunting backlog. It may be an ambitious initiative, but Acuzar is confident of the commitment to provide a path toward addressing the housing needs of countless Filipinos.

"Under 4PH, we are tapping primarily investible funds from government financial institutions and the private sector, unlike previous housing programs heavily dependent on the national budget. Under 4PH, the national government will allocate funds for interest subsidy to lower the amortization to help beneficiaries, especially the poorest of the poor and the informal settler families," he said.

With the President's decisive Executive Order 34, earmarking dormant government lands for housing, he said, DHSUD has the opportunity to significantly reduce the costs of 4PH projects, thereby extending crucial benefits to underprivileged Filipinos.

Presently, we have around 20 ongoing 4PH projects nationwide, each progressing through various stages of development and construction.

"Our immediate focus is delivering a minimum of 288 units in Bacolod City, marking a significant milestone under 4PH. Looking ahead, our commitment remains unwavering as we aim to provide even more housing units in the coming year."

To cultivate and actualize housing policies and initiatives that will sow the seeds of positive change in communities, he saw the essential need to forge partnerships with local government officials, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

"At DHSUD, we observe an open-door policy. We welcome everyone. We engage local government units from all over the country, and we have conducted dialogues with various cause-oriented groups, including the urban poor, transport organizations, homeowners' associations, private developers, and contractors, to get their input and integrate them into our program," he said.

The collaboration paid off as more than 150 Memorandum of Understanding with local government units, cause-oriented groups, and other national government agencies to implement 4PH.

In terms of leveraging technology and data to improve housing services and operations within the department, Acuzar said the latest technologies are being adopted to better DSHUD's service to its beneficiaries.

"Currently, we are finalizing our ISSP to better serve the public. We work closely with other government agencies for data-driven programs."

The Housing Czar shared how sustainable and environmentally friendly housing initiatives are a prime example of how partnerships can lead to impactful change. These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also contribute to the well-being of communities. He said integrating these principles into the department's work could pave the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to housing, fostering a healthier and more resilient future for all.

"We have the Environmental, Land Use, Urban Development Bureau in charge of integrating green and smart community principles and transport-oriented development into our program, not only to ensure sustainability but also safety. We have been in constant collaboration with local and international partners for us to improve these."

There is no way Secretary Acuzar will call it a day. His legacy of personal success and love for the country fuels him to sustain his passion for building affordable homes. 

With perseverance, dedication, and a firm yet compassionate leadership style, he aspires to leave a lasting imprint that will inspire all government partners to ensure every Filipino has access to a decent shelter they can call their own home.

It is ultimately consigning the existence of street dwellers to the annals of history.