The Pasig City local government and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the national government's Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program which seeks to provide housing to over six million informal settler families (ISF) in the country by the year 2028.

(Photos from Pasig LGU)

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar signed the MOU before city government and DHSUD officials.

"Para sa naturang kasundaan, ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Pasig ang tutukoy sa informal settler families (ISFs) na magiging benepisyaryo ng nasabing housing project. Bukod pa rito ay magiging parte rin ng Pamahalaang Lungsod sa partnership na ito ang paglalaan ng housing development site (lugar sa lungsod) kung saan maaaring maitayo ang housing project (Under the agreement, the city government of Pasig will identify the informal settler families that will benefit from the housing project. The city will also provide the housing development site where the housing project will be built)," the city explained.

Sotto noted that the city gives priority to housing and settlement programs for ISFs, especially those living in danger zones. It also pushes for in-city housing to ensure that residents and beneficiaries will have access to the different services of the local government, schools, markets, and livelihood opportunities.

"Matatandaang noong July 3, 2023, bilang parte ng selebrasyon ng ika-450 Araw ng Pasig, ay inilunsad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Pasig ang Zero Informal Settler Family Program, at tiyak na makakatulong ang 4PH Program para rito (On July 3, 2023, as part of the 450th Pasig Day celebration, the city government launched its Zero Informal Settler Family Program which will be complemented by the 4PH Program)," the local government unit (LGU) said.

Acuzar thanked the city government for its support to the programs of the national government and its best practices that can be adapted by the DHSUD and other LGUs in Metro Manila.

He had earlier disclosed that there are around 170,000 units or 55 projects in different locations in Metro Manila that are currently undergoing construction.  

Acuzar said the mass housing is designed to address the need for decent housing and to build on the potential impact of a robust sector on the growing economy.

He explained that the target beneficiaries will be housed at the staging areas or temporary relocation areas to be identified by the Metro Manila mayors.

“Informal settler families (ISFs) shall be temporarily relocated to the government staging areas for at least one to two years while the housing projects are under construction. All ISFs shall be permanently transferred to their new housing areas once they are completed,’ said Acuzar.