Turnover of housing units under 4PH to start in 2024 or early 2025–Acuzar

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) expects to start turning over units to beneficiaries of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) by next year or early 2025.

On Tuesday, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said this is possible given that 27 groundbreaking ceremonies have been conducted in 25 locations nationwide, adding 20 of these identified housing projects have begun ground works and construction. The department also signed memoranda of agreements with 171 local government units (LGU) for the 4PH. Under these agreements, LGUs commit to allocate to

DHSUD parcel of land for the development of housing projects.

“Nagsisimulapalamangpotayo,tuladng sabi ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Patuloy po tayong magtatrabaho hanggang wala nang Pilipinong walang bahay sa sariling bayan,” Acuzar said.

Acuzar also noted that the President’s issuance of Executive Order 34, which allowed the use of idle government lands for the administration’s housing program, also provides a significant boost in efforts to address the country’s housing backlog. He said the presidential issuance is a propoor measure that could end homelessness nationwide. Acuzar added the availability of land is crucial in undertaking the government’s housing program.

“The EO is a noteworthy boost to the program as the availability of more utilizable lands will significantly reduce the cost of housing units,” the DHSUD chief said.

Apart from these, Acuzar said the President mentioned other housing initiatives such as the efforts of the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, which helped 100,000 members avail of housing loans amounting to P117 billion. The DHSUD said there are 15 million Pag-IBIG members nationwide.

Earlier, University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) economist Victor A. Abola said the Philippines could experience a construction and housing boom that may last three to four decades.

Abola said the construction and housing boom could go full swing starting next year. The growth in construction and housing will be underpinned by the government’s goal of closing the 6 million backlog in housing projects. This will also be driven by the creation of the P500 billion worth fund that mimics the United States’ Fannie Mae type of secondary mortgage. This is part of the Pambansang Pabahay program of the administration, which aims to build 1 million houses per year in the medium term. Cai U. Ordinario