CLARK: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has reached out to private partners to support its mission to tackle the country’s pressing 6.5 million housing backlog. The appeal was made during the annual convention of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Association Inc. (CREBA), emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to housing development.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar highlighted the importance of private sector involvement, acknowledging that government efforts alone are insufficient to meet the country’s housing needs. He called for a unified effort from stakeholders, including CREBA and other developer groups, to ensure that efforts are complementary and effective.
The DHSUD is focused on the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), a key initiative under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration. This program aims to prioritize housing for informal settler families and individuals with monthly earn
ings between PHP16,000 and PHP17,000. Initially, the DHSUD planned to construct six million units by 2028, but the target was later adjusted to three million units for the 4PH Program.
Secretary Acuzar acknowledged the challenges faced by partner-developers in implementing the 4PH Program but expressed optimism that these obstacles could be transformed into opportunities. He emphasized the shared goal of providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for Filipinos, contributing to the vision of a more developed and resilient New Philippines.
Acuzar also commended CREBA for its ongoing collaboration with the government, expressing full support for the association’s efforts to mobilize its members in the housing and urban development sector. In August, President Marcos directed a reassessment of the DHSUD’s housing targets, underscoring the need to align plans with actual need and demand.