Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Phase 1 of the Progreso Village in Barangay Marulas on Tuesday, October 29.
Progreso village is part of a major housing project under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
"Ang araw na ito ay makasaysayan hindi lamang para dito sa TELOF, kundi para sa buong lungsod, dahil for 28 years, ngayon natin masasabi na tuloy na ang proyektong ito. Tatlong sunog po ang pinagdaanan nito kaya naman ang araw na ito ay simbolo ng katuparan ng ating mga pangarap. Maswerte po tayo dahil ang Marulas ay isa sa mga napiling lokasyon ng 4PH, kaya naman tatawagin natin itong Progreso Village, dahil ang bagong bahay ay simbolo ng ating progreso sa buhay (This day is historic not only for TELOF, but for the entire city, because for 28 years, we can now say that this project is over. It has been through three fires, that's why this day is a symbol of the fulfillment of our dreams. We are lucky because Marulas is one of the selected locations of 4PH, that's why we will call it Progreso Village, because the new house is a symbol of our progress in life),” Gatchalian said.
This flagship initiative, declared under Executive Order No. 34, is a collaboration led by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), National Housing Authority (NHA), Pag-IBIG Fund, and the city government, aiming to provide dignified and affordable housing for Telecommunications Office (TELOF) residents.
The housing project is a 20,008-square-meter property historically designated under government ownership.
This land, previously utilized by the TELOF, has undergone several challenges, including fire incidents on February 19, 2013, May 12, 2015, and June 6, 2019.
The Phase 1 will consist of two (2) eleven–storey buildings, providing a total of 340 units, each measuring 27.50 square meters. Upon full completion, the entire project will feature nine (9) buildings with a combined total of 1,530 units.