The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development expressed optimism about the implementation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program this year.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar cited the P13 billion revolving credit lines recently approved by the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund in support of Pambansang Pabahay.

Earlier this month, the Pag-IBIG Fund Board, chaired by Acuzar, approved the P12 billion and P929 million revolving credit lines for the National Housing Authority and the Social Housing Finance Corporation, respectively.

The credit lines would allow the development and construction of more than 11,000 housing units by the NHA and SHFC for the 4PH program.

"This (approved credit lines) will not only sustain the positive momentum we have gained in the nationwide implementation of Pambansang Pabahay, but equally important, it will further bolster private sector confidence," Acuzar said.

"We expect more private partners, especially financial institutions, developers and contractors, to actively participate in the program this coming year," he added.

So far, 17 projects under the flagship "Pambansang Pabahay" are currently in various stages of development and construction throughout the country.

Acuzar said that about 300 units at the Asenso Yuhum Residences in Bacolod City, headed by Mayor Albee Benitez, are set for turnover. More units are expected for delivery in the coming months.

"I am confident that 2024 will be a milestone year for our President's Pambansang Pabahay. Slowly but surely, we are now reaping the fruits of our labor," he said.

"It's our simple way of returning the favor to President Marcos Jr. for his all-out support to DHSUD," he added.

Acuzar has hailed Marcos Jr.'s issuance of Executive Orders 34 and 35 as huge push to DHSUD's pursuit of its mandates, particularly on the provision of sustainable housing, human settlements and urban development.

The EO 34 declared the "Pambansang Pabahay" as the flagship program of the government and directed all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to submit their inventory of available lands while EO 35 created the Inter-agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development, also headed by DHSUD.

On top of leading the "Pambansang Pabahay", DHSUD's functions include policy formulations, environmental land use and urban planning and development, housing and real estate development regulations, homeowners and community developments and technical advisory roles.

From January to November 2023, the department has issued license to sell to 642 projects, comprising 489 new and 153 amended licenses, equating to 123,985 residential and 256,834 non-residential units. The issuance of LS protects homebuyers from unscrupulous developers and transactions since it requires the conformance of these projects with the prescribed standards.

In addition, 15,839 real estate dealers, brokers and/or salespersons were registered to ensure buyers' protection with accredited sellers.

On urban development, the Department reported a cumulative data of 754 local government units with approved Comprehensive Land Use Plans for sustainable and resilient human settlements. It also reviewed 108 CLUPs, Provincial Physical Framework Plans and Zoning Ordinances for compliance with land use and urban planning guidelines.

Meanwhile, 24,571 registered homeowners' associations, 224 federations and 29 confederations are being monitored around the country as of October 2023.