The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Bataan provincial government have forged a partnership that would pave the way for a modern township project in Mariveles town.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the project is under the “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program: Zero ISF (informal settler family) 2028” which seeks to address the 6.5 million housing backlog in the country.

Acuzar brought key officials from the DHSUD and its key shelter agencies, including Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, who expressed her commitment to support the township project.

In fact, a memorandum of understanding between the Pag-IBIG Fund and the Bataan LGU, led by Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, was inked prior to the ceremony for laying the cornerstone, which was held at the project site in Barangay Alasasin in Mariveles.

According to the signed agreement, the provincial government will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries based on the Pag-IBIG Fund's eligibility requirements.

The housing chief also inspected one of the four township sites in Orion town with ongoing land development projects in order to provide his insights in order to expedite implementation.

The DHSUD said other areas with proposed 1Bataan Village projects include Orani and Balanga City.

Acuzar is rallying all stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring the success of the Marcos Administration's priority housing program, which prioritizes ISFs, of which there are 3.7 million across the country.

“Mahalaga po ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa para makamtan natin ang ginhawa na pinapangako ng proyektong ito (Everyone's cooperation is essential if we are to achieve the level of comfort that this project promises),” he said.