A total of 216 families were “liberated” from the threat of homelessness as the National Housing Authority (NHA) unveiled a new housing project in Balanga City, Bataan on Tuesday, April 9, coinciding with the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
The NHA-Balanga City Low-Rise Housing Project features six three-storey buildings designed in a condominium style that benefits relocated informal settler families (ISFs) from along the Talisay River, an area in Balanga City identified as hazard-prone.
President Marcos led the turn-over of certificates of award to the beneficiaries. Prior to this, he led the commemoration rites for the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan at Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.
During the NHA event, Marcos was accompanied by Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, NHA General Manager Joeben Tai, Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia, and Balanga Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia.
According to NHA, an attached agency of the DHSUD, each housing unit measures 27 square meters, and is equipped with two bedrooms, a kitchen, toilet, bath, and fully operational water and power supply.
The project also includes basic facilities such as a four-storey school building with 20 classrooms, a multi-purpose building and a covered basketball court.
To ensure that the beneficiaries will have access to basic commodities, educational facilities and other community necessities, a Community Center Building has also been constructed within the housing project.
It also houses a health center, daycare center, barangay learning hub, offices of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) and a local government unit (LGU) housing satellite office.
Tai said that the housing project is a testament of the NHA’s commitment to the “Bagong Pilipinas” brand of governance and leadership as the agency eyes to build 1.3 million houses for ISFs and poorest of the poor Filipinos before the end of Marcos’ term in 2028 to address the country’s six million housing backlog.
“Makasisiguro po kayo na ligtas at dekalidad ang inyong mga bagong tahanan (Rest assured that your new homes will be safe and quality),” Tai said in his speech.