Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Acuzar have formally signed an agreement aimed at providing affordable housing to marginalized groups. 

Salo said the target beneficiaries of the pact include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers, public health workers, midwives, and volunteer groups. 

“These groups, though often overlooked, will be at the forefront of our housing initiatives,” he said. 

Salo said that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on Oct. 7, Saturday showed Kabayan Party-list’s commitment to the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH Program). 

Embodied in Executive Order No. 34, the 4PH Program intends to make decent and affordable housing available to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas. 

Regarded as a top priority of President Marcos, the program aims to construct one million housing units annually for the next six years. These units would meet the housing requirements of 6.5 million Filipinos. 

“Malapit po sa puso ng ating Pangulong Marcos ang ating mga kababayang poorest of the poor. Sila ay higit na nangangailangan ng tulong mula sa ating gobyerno upang makaahon sa kahirapan kaya ginagawa po natin ang lahat para sila ay matulungan,” Acuzar said. 

(Our countrymen who are poorest of the poor are close to the heart of our President Marcos. They need more help from our government to get out of poverty so we are doing everything to help them.) 

Under the MOA, Kabayan Party-list will provide a list of prospective beneficiaries, including the necessary documentary requisites, to the DHSUD. 

One of the first housing projects from the agreement will be located in Calauag, Quezon Province. 

“The processing of documents and the verification of beneficiaries for the project are already underway, marking the beginning of a transformative journey towards better housing for Filipinos, especially those from the marginalized sectors,” Salo noted. 

As one of the principal authors of the law creating the DHSUD, Salo closely coordinated with the department for several months before signing the agreement. 

“This collaboration embodies the spirit of unity and the shared belief that every Filipino deserves a place to call home. As we move forward, we envision vibrant communities, stronger families, and a nation that thrives on inclusivity and resilience,” he concluded.