President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. together with Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, leads the groundbreaking of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Project in Heroes Ville in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on April 19, 2023. Rey Baniquet, PNA
SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said his administration is currently building 1.2 million housing units, which are part of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program.
The 4PH program aims to build 1 million housing units each year to address the country's housing backlog.
"Tintukso ko si Secretary Jerry [Acuzar]. Sabi ko sa kanya: O, sa susunod naman, dalhin mo kami doon sa mga --- may naitayo na. Kasi baka sasabihin nila panay ribbon cutting natin, tapos wala ng nangyari," Marcos said in a chance interview with reporters.
"So sabi ko, that’s the next part. Pagka nagsimula ng umaakyat, iinspeksyunin natin para makita naman na talagang gumagalaw," he added.
The President said many Filipinos are interested to get housing units, as supposedly indicated by new members of Pag-IBIG.
"All of these things are indicative na patuloy talaga ang pag-supply ng bahay at talagang may market. Tama nga na tinugunan natin itong problemang housing na ito," he said.
BACK-TO-BACK HOUSING PROJECTS IN BULACAN
Earlier in the day, Marcos launched several housing projects in various towns in Bulacan, starting in San Jose Del Monte.
The project involves 1,890 housing units, he said.
"Sa 6 na bayan ng Bulacan, sabay-sabay po nating sinisimulan ang construction ng Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino housing project ng pamahalaan... 'Yung iba, naka-livestream at nanonood sa atin, may groundbreaking pinagsabay-sabay natin," Marcos said.
He also led the groundbreaking of a vertical housing project in San Rafael.
“Sabay-sabay nating sinisimulan ang pagpapatayo ng Pambansang Pabahay… sa 6 na bayan sa lalawigan ng Bulacan,” Marcos said in his speech.
“Hindi na malayo ang posibilidad na makamtan ang pangarap ng libu-libong Bulakenyo para makamtan ang pagkakaroon ng maayos at disenteng pabahay,” he said.
The soon-to-rise housing complex in San Rafael is a 7-hectare property that will be called San Rafael Heights Development Project, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said in a statement.
At least 3,920 condominium units will be built initially in Barangay Caingin, it said.
“Napakalaking bagay na kasama sa pabahay ay may ginagawa ring plano para sa city planning,” Marcos told the residents.
“Hindi naman pupuwedeng magpapatayo tayo ng pabahay na wala namang pagsisimbahan, walang eskuwelahan para sa mga bata, walang palengke para sa pagsha-shopping,” he said.
“Hindi magtatagal ay ito ay magiging isang tunay na komunidad na magkakaroon ng mga pasilitasyon para sa pangkalusugan, pangkabuhayan at iba pa,” he added.
The five other 4PH sites in Bulacan will be constructed in San Rafael, Pulilan, Pandi, Guiguinto and Malolos, said Marcos.
There are already 20 localities covered by the 4PH program, he said.
“Sana maging inspirasyon ito sa mga nagsusumikap na maitaguyod ang kanilang pamilya,” the president said.
“Kung tayo ay magtutulungan — pamahalaan at mamamayan — ito ay kayang kaya natin."
Marcos earlier said that his administration’s bid to construct millions of housing units by the end of his term in 2028 is meant to address the Philippines’ housing backlog that is estimated at 6 million units.