The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has engaged more government and private financial institutions to support its ambitious 6.5 million housing units in the next six years as more local government units (LGUs) have committed to build houses for informal settlers and those under the low income bracket.

On Sunday, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar disclosed that 10 more LGUs have signed up as the department's partners in the plan to build one million housing units every year.

Among the latest LGU-enrollees are Bohol province, the cities of Mandaue and Tagbilaran; Panglao, Bohol, and six towns from the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

"This brought to 28 the total number of LGUs which already signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with DHSUD and formalized their intent to pursue housing projects in their respective areas," said Acuzar.

Of the 28 LGUs, 11 have already broken ground including the cities of Quezon and Marikina in the National Capital Region.

"Aside from forging partnerships with the LGUs, the DHSUD has also engaged government financial institutions and private banks to provide funding support and technical assistance on the financial aspect, noting their help will be instrumental in realizing the capital and loan requirements of the program," said Acuzar.

The DHSUD is proposing for a P36 billion annual interest support to ensure affordability of housing units under the program.

Acuzar said he had already sought the support of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the allocation.

"I know we are off to a good start. I can see this program as the embodiment of the dream of every Filipino family wanting to have a house of their own. We aim to make this dream a reality in the next six years of this administration,” said Acuzar.

Acuzar said LGUs play a very important role in the program from the planning stages up to the actual turn over and maintenance, especially on the aspect of identifying idle government lands that can be tapped for the government’s housing program.

“Our target is bold yet achievable because we are not doing it alone. From the time we started, I am very delighted with the outpouring of support that we are getting from our stakeholders both in the public and private sectors. It gives us the confidence that we are on the right track,” said Acuzar.