By Hannah Nicol
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and PAG-IBIG Fund to launch the "Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Project" in the city on Monday, June 19.
According to the city government, the program is expected to address housing concerns of more than 20 percent of its residents.
“Isa ang Pambansang Pabahay dito sa Caloocan sa mga proyekto na nasasabik ako. Sa pagkakataong ito, mga Batang Kankaloo na nag-serbisyo sa Caloocan muna ang bibigyan natin ng prayoridad. Sa proyektong ito, sila naman ang bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng maayos at disenteng tahanan (The National Housing program here in Caloocan is one of the projects that I am very excited about. This time, we will give priority to Batang Kankaloos who have served here Caloocan . In this project, we will give them the opportunity to have a proper and decent home)," Along said.
The mayor also expressed his gratitude towards President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar for choosing the city as one of their partners in the said program and added that he felt their unwavering support for him as a mayor, especially in developing projects that will help his constituents.
“As we sign this Memorandum of Agreement for the Pambansang Pabahay, we are also marking a new era for Batang Kankaloos, an era where the national and local government are solid partners in prioritizing the welfare and betterment of our people,” he said.
Acuzar congratulated the beneficiaries and affirmed the national government's commitment to make life easier for Filipinos.
"Ito ay hudyat na ng tuloy-tuloy na pag-arangkada ng Pambansang Pabahay. Kaya congratulations po sa Caloocan City, lalo na po sa ating mga beneficiaries, dahil abot-kamay na po ang inyong pangaarap na ligtas, disente, at murang pabahay para sa inyong pamilya (This is a signal of the continuous development of National Housing. So congratulations to Caloocan City, especially to our beneficiaries, because your dream of safe, decent, and cheap housing for your family is within reach)," Sec. Acuzar said.
Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program aims to build 6 million housing units and generate around 1.7 million jobs yearly for Filipinos from 2023 to 2028.