President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has only been in power for seven months, but House Speaker Martin Romualdez says that the former's commitment to ensure affordable housing to Filipinos has already "borne fruit".
Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday morning, Jan. 31 that Marcos, from day one of the administration, “has instructed all of us in government service to move heaven and earth to ensure that affordable housing units will be available to homeless Filipinos".
The Speaker noted that Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar has mobilized government and private sector resources to support the administration’s housing program.
“Thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., what used to be a dream for our marginalized countrymen will soon turn into a reality,” said Romualdez, who on Tuesday attended the unveiling and groundbreaking of the Legacy Housing Project of the Marcos administration in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
The Chief Executive graced the event, which took place at Romualdez's backyard. Local officials call the project “Bagong Bliss para sa Mamamayan ng Quezon City".
It is part of the President’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. It is reminiscent of the BLISS (for Bagong Lipunan Improvement of Sites and Services) holistic housing program of the President’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, when she was minister of human settlements.
“Sa wakas, abot-kamay na po ang mga pangarap ninyong lahat (Finally, your dream is within reach). You will have a house to call your own. Hindi na po kayo matatakot na mapaalis sa inyong mga komunidad (There is no fear of you getting evicted from your community). Your family can now live in peace in a safe and secure environment,” he told potential housing program beneficiaries in the Batasan and Commonwealth areas of Quezon City.
“We know how important housing is to Filipinos. Not only will this project bring economic and social stability to Filipino families, it will also help to create jobs and boost the economy,” added the Leytev1st district representative.
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Romualdez stressed that the Legacy Housing Project “is also a testament how creative and innovative solutions to poverty can help to improve the lives of people in the long-term".
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who made this housing project possible. We thank them for their hard work and commitment to making this program a reality,” he said.
He urged all those concerned to “continue this legacy of creating opportunities for those in need and making sure that everyone in our country has access to basic necessities such as housing.”
Marcos assumed the Palace seat on June 30, 2022.