The first-ever horizontal housing units under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program have officially been turned over to beneficiaries in Occidental Mindoro.

The housing units, part of the Mamburao Ville Socialized Housing Project in Barangay Payompon, Mamburao, were handed over during a simple ceremony attended by officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the local government.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling described the turnover as a major milestone — coming just seven months after horizontal or subdivision-type housing was added to the Expanded 4PH program.

When he assumed office last May, Aliling recalibrated the 4PH to include more housing options such as horizontal developments. Previously, the program focused mainly on vertical or condominium-style housing.

He said the project directly answers President Marcos’ call to speed up the delivery of safe, affordable and decent housing across the country.

“This is a direct instruction from President Marcos Jr. — to accelerate and expand the program so more Filipino families can benefit,” Aliling said.

“The President’s vision under the Expanded 4PH is clear. We are not just providing roofs over people’s heads, but building decent, safe, and humane communities where Filipinos can live with dignity,” he added.

The Mamburao Ville project covers more than 41,000 square meters and features 415 house-and-lot units classified as socialized housing. It also includes open spaces, parks and playgrounds, and an elevated water tank designed to support a healthy and sustainable community.

Aliling also stressed the importance of strong collaboration between the government and the private sector in addressing the country’s housing backlog.

“With the help of the private sector and local governments, we are bringing closer the dream of every Filipino family — to own a home and live a dignified life,” he said.

DHSUD reaffirmed its commitment to push for inclusive and sustainable housing projects nationwide, in line with the President’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas, where every Filipino family can enjoy a better quality of life through housing.

“As the President often says, no one will be left behind in Bagong Pilipinas — so we will keep moving forward until every family is given the chance to have a home of their own,” Aliling said.