The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is turning its attention to Metro Manila as it pushes to speed up construction under the Marcos administration’s flagship housing program.

While projects under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program have started to deliver housing units in cities like Palayan and Bacolod, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar acknowledged that Metro Manila remains a priority, citing the concentration of informal settlers in the capital region.

“There are already 4PH projects underway in NCR, and we intend to accelerate them,” Acuzar said. “This is where the most number of informal settler families are located.”

According to the agency, several housing projects are in various stages of construction outside the capital, with some already nearing completion. In San Mateo, Rizal; San Fernando, Pampanga; Davao City; and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, buildings have been completed and are being prepared for turnover to beneficiaries.

Acuzar said the department has identified “blighted areas” in NCR that it plans to redevelop into more sustainable communities. Projects had been launched in Caloocan (two sites), Manila, Quezon City and San Juan.

In Pasay, a staging area has been set up to house informal settlers temporarily before they are relocated to 4PH units.

Local governments in Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Valenzuela and Malabon have also signed agreements with the DHSUD indicating their intent to participate in the housing program.

Just before the Holy Week break, Acuzar inspected the Port Town project in Tondo, Manila, accompanied by Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta and Social Housing Finance Corp. President Federico Laxa.

He also visited a project site in Quezon City, where he instructed implementers to fast-track construction without sacrificing quality.

The 4PH program, launched in 2022, aims to build 6 million housing units by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.