The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is open to suggestions to further enhance President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr.'s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program aimed at addressing the decades-old housing backlog.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said that while the 4PH is now rolling out nationwide, the Department welcomes recommendations from all stakeholders, particularly lawmakers, on how to further improve the flagship program for the benefit of poor Filipinos.
"Ginagawa po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. at ng buong gobyerno ang lahat para ma-solusyunan ang deka-dekadang problema sa pabahay. Ang 4PH po ang nabuo namin na solusyon, dahil bagong concept po ito at malaking kaibahan sa mga dating housing programs, at maaari pang mapaganda kaya welcome po ang rekomendasyon ng lahat," Secretary Acuzar stressed.
The 4PH aims to address the country's housing need pegged at more than 6.5 million units that accumulated through the years.
"Bukas po ang aming pinto sa DHSUD at handa kaming makinig at makipagtulungan sa lahat para mas matulungan ang ating mga kababayang nangangarap na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan na disente at abot-kaya," he added.
Unlike previous government housing programs that heavily depended on the national budget, DHSUD is tapping private funds and investible funds from government financial institutions (GFIs) in the implementation of 4PH.
Under 4PH, private developers and contractors would be given access to developmental loans to jumpstart housing projects. Upon completion and turnover to beneficiaries, the government would provide interest support of up to 5 percent to keep the monthly amortization affordable to the beneficiaries.
The DHSUD chief also maintained that the 4PH is pro-poor and designed to uplift the lives of underprivileged Filipinos, especially the informal settler families (ISFs).
He stressed that President Marcos Jr. is giving the underprivileged Filipinos a chance to own millions worth of asset in the form of housing through the 4PH.
"Huwag naman po nating maliitin ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap, sa halip ay pagtulung-tulungan nating sila'y maibangon sa pagkakasadlak sa kahirapan," Secretary Acuzar said.