The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday gave assurance there would be no dislocation of informal settlers even as the government vigorously pursues its flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
At the same time, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to prepare a list of the informal settler-families in their respective areas as target beneficiaries of the 4Ps projects.
“The dream of every Filipino is (to own) a house. Now, we have the President’s flagship housing program. Isn’t it nice that here in Manila, we also have housing (projects)?” Abalos Jr. said.
“We are working with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to implement the wonderful plan of our President,” the Secretary added.
Launched in September 2022, the 4PH is the flagship housing program initiative of the President, which aims to build one million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s 6.5 million housing backlog.
In the first Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting this year, Abalos said the DHSUD, other government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector, will also identify lands to be used as ‘staging areas’ to avoid the displacement of families during the transition period.
These staging areas, to be chosen from nearby government or privately-owned properties and idle lands, will serve as temporary holding areas for informal settler families (ISFs) during the construction of their new houses.
“In exchange for a little discomfort in a year or two, you will have a house that you can really call your own and have a title, too,” he said, adding that Mandaluyong City successfully implemented this strategy during his tenure as mayor.
Abalos said there are 170,000 planned housing units spanning across 55 projects in Metro Manila, which he described as a significant step towards achieving the 4PH’s ‘zero backlog goal by 2028.
Speaking on behalf of the Metro Manila mayors, MMC president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora pledged the council’s fullest support for the program, assuring beneficiaries that the staging areas will be near their current place of residence to avoid displacement during the construction period.
Also present during the meeting were DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, and MMDA chairman Romando Artes, among others.