As more housing units under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) are turned over to beneficiaries in the regions, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is ramping up efforts to fast-track similar projects in Metro Manila.

Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said there are already ongoing 4PH developments in the National Capital Region, while dozens more in areas outside the metro are nearing completion.

“Habang nagte-turn over na tayo sa mga natatapos na 4PH buildings, tuluy-tuloy naman po ang construction ng iba pang projects. Kaya, masasabi natin na buo na po ang formula, may malinaw na tayo na proofs of concept ng 4PH--iyang mga natatapos at nate-turn over na housing units,” said Acuzar.

The department has already started turning over units in Palayan and Bacolod. In other areas like San Mateo in Rizal, San Fernando in Pampanga, Davao City and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, several buildings have been completed and are being readied for distribution to beneficiaries.

“Dito sa NCR, may mga nasimulan na rin tayo na mga 4PH projects. Tututukan po natin 'yan upang mapabilis dahil dito may pinakamaraming informal settler families. Sila po ang priority natin dito,” Acuzar said.

The DHSUD has identified priority blighted communities across NCR to be redeveloped into sustainable townships. In Caloocan City alone, two major 4PH sites are in progress. Similar initiatives are ongoing in the cities of Manila, Quezon and San Juan.

In Pasay, a staging area has already been set up to temporarily house informal settler families who will eventually move into the 4PH units.

Several other NCR cities have also signed memorandum of understanding with DHSUD to formalize their intent to join the program. These include Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas, Paranaque, Valenzuela and Malabon.

Just before the Holy Week break, Secretary Acuzar inspected two major construction sites: the Port Town Housing Project in Parola, Tondo and a 4PH development in Quezon City.

He was joined by Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta and Social Housing Finance Corporation President Federico Laxa during the site visits.

Acuzar directed the project teams to speed up the work but reminded them to uphold quality and safety standards.