The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday, Oct. 27, wrapped up this year’s National Shelter Month (NSM) celebration with the unveiling of the agency’s institutional marker.
According to the agency, the building's official inauguration represented the DHSUD's commitment to "stand strong in fulfilling President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos' vow to address the country's housing needs by building one million houses per year," or six million housing units by the end of his term.
Leading the unveiling ceremony were DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, DHSUD Executive Committee members, heads of the Department’s key shelter agencies (KSAs) and other officials.
The agency noted that Benitez, then serving as a representative in the 17th Congress, sponsored Republic Act 11201 together with Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Estrada, effectively giving birth to the DHSUD on Feb. 14, 2019.
The DHSUD said it has already broken ground in seven locations across the country and has signed 14 memorandums of understanding with various local governments for the imminent construction of additional housing units.
“In his first three months, Secretary Acuzar has also successfully engaged the private sector, particularly the developers, into actively participating in the Department’s efforts to shape a brighter future for the housing and urban development sector,” the agency said in a statement.
Acuzar said that nothing is impossible if everyone works together to build one million houses for poor Filipinos each year.
“Together, we will close the country’s housing backlog,” said the DHSUD secretary. “This will be our mantra in the next six years...”