Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Rizalino Acuzar urged the National Real Estate Association, among other stakeholders, to be one with the government in helping address the 6.5 million housing backlog in the country through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino or 4PH Program.
During the 27th NREA-DHSUD National Convention last week, Secretary Acuzar, through Undersecretary Henry Yap, said the herculean task to address the housing backlog in the country will not be possible without the helping hand of the private sector.
“We acknowledge that no new initiative is without challenges. Thus, there is a greater need for all parties to collaborate so we can address these hurdles, like the initial hesitation to undertake changes from the traditional mode of housing production, funding, and delivery; the new learning curve brought about by innovative strategy; the potential slower rollout of funds in the early years, and the need to streamline numerous processes and address the regulatory complexities,” Acuzar said.
He said the department has faith that the above-mentioned challenges can be overcome through partnerships, consultations, transparency, open communications, mutual exchanges of best practices, and continuous engagement with stakeholders, shareholders, and multilateral sector groups, among others.
“Looking ahead, we believe that with feedback and full cooperation, we can continuously improve and refine the 4PH Program to make it better and more responsive. Further, with sustained efforts, we can achieve greater success in addressing the country’s housing need,” the secretary said.
“DHSUD’s vital role in aligning and leveraging the government and private sector into the 4PH Program can only be successful with the coordination, collaboration, and shared vision of all parties aiming to collectively provide affordable, safe, decent, and resilient housing. Together, let us aim to provide an environment where no Filipinos have to worry about finding a place of their own, to call home,” he said.
Also gracing the celebration is Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement chairperson and the Father of the DHSUD Law, Senator Jose Victor Ejercito, who said the 4PH Program of President Marcos Jr. is attainable, as the present administration has a clear indication that the people in charge are not taking housing crisis lightly.
“Much has yet to be done but we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
Aside from this, Ejercito said lawmakers both in the Lower House and Upper Chamber will continue to support the housing sector.
“I look forward to working with your NREA in achieving the principal objective of our common advocacy, that is, to ensure that every Filipino has a roof above his or her head and is secured in his or her basic needs,” the lawmaker said.
“In behalf of Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, DHSUD is represented in the convention by Undersecretaries Henry L. Yap and lawyer Avelino D. Tolentino III, as Keynote Speaker, and 4PH Presentor, respectively.
They were joined by DHSUD Undersecretary Renato Juanchito Dispo and Assistant Secretaries Daryll Bryan L. Villanueva and Krizzy C. De Leon.
It also guested Sen. JV Ejercito, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and principal author of the law which created DHSUD. He cited NREA’s contribution in this, even as he vowed to see to the full and proper implementation of the DHSUD Act, Board Chairman Imelda C. Magtoto further reported.
The event also culminated with the Chairman’s Cup Invitational Golf Tournament for a cause last May 30, 2023 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, according to Mr. Bansan C. Choa, tournament co-chairman.
The NREA Business Development Committee reported on the launch of the NREA Multiple Listing System, an online database of NREA-member brokers and real estate properties for sale.”
One Filipino Worldwide Partylist Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino relayed that the flagship 4PH Program with the principal objective of constructing six million housing units with basic amenities and facilities over a period of six years, benefitting 30 million Filipinos particularly the underprivileged and the homeless, is a monumental program of the Marcos Administration.
“The OFW Party List and DHSUD signed a Memorandum of Agreement on our participation as a Project Proponent in the implementation of the 4PH Program of the National Government. With it, the Party formally launched our counterpart “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa mga OFW” Program.
Our OFWs also require basic human needs, and critical among them is shelter. Let us oblige ourselves to provide them with that need – if we are to be true to ourselves in our reverence of them as heroes of our day,” Magsino said during her speech.
Red Rosales, NREA executive vice president and chairperson, said his group and the rest of the housing stakeholders who attended the event on June 1 to 2 at the Makati Sports Club expressed support for the 4PH Program.
The convention drew more than 250 multi-sectoral participants, of which are City/Municipal Mayors and Officers/representatives from the Local Government Units nationwide.
“The participation of LGUs, encouraged by the Department of Interior and Local Government in an earlier advisory, is important, as LGUs are the main housing project proponents and implementers under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program,” said Rosales.
NREA acknowledged the sponsors who made the event possible, including Pag-IBIG Fund; China Bank Savings; Surewell Equities, Inc.; Duraville Realty Development Corporation; Sycwin Coating and Wires, Inc.; Haus Talk, Inc.; Davies Paint Philippines, Inc.; SM Development Corporation; Central Country Estates, Inc. (The Lakeshore); OFW Partylist; Citihomes Builder and Development Corporation; JQ International; Phinma Const.
Materials Group; Integrated Computer System/Hewlett Packard; Harrows Industrial Sales; Sterling Bank; Robinsons Homes; Megaworld Corporation /Fundador; Ferris Sobell Properties, Inc.; Merrytown Properties Corp.; National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation and BDO.