DAVAO CITY – Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman Leo Tereso Magno assured that the government’s flagship housing program Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) here remains on track.
MAGNO (FB)
Magno said in an interview that the city government is facilitating the transfer of land ownership and management responsibilities from the National Housing Authority (NHA) to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
He said that the DHSUD would oversee the construction of more than 100 housing units, with the Davao city government as partner and among the significant projects in Lasang, where 7,000 housing units are planned to be built.
“The 4PH in the city is still a go. It was not canceled. We are waiting for the new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The last time I talked with Mayor Sebastian Duterte, he expressed his support for this housing project,” Magno said.
Magno said the DHSUD has pinpointed Barangays Lasang, Talomo, and Langub in Ma-a District and is checking other areas for the construction of affordable housing units for the poor, aligning with the goals of the 4PH project of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The 4PH initiative, launched in September last year, aims to provide affordable housing for the homeless in the country. The plan is to build a million housing units annually, with a target of 6.5 million by 2028.
Magno said their goal is to provide 380,000 units for those facing housing challenges in the Davao region. He added that they anticipate that this figure will rise once people witness the commencement of the actual housing project’s construction.
To expedite the project, the MinDA chairman urged DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar to accelerate the process to benefit Davao residents. He emphasized the affordability of the housing units, with the monthly payments ranging from P3,000 to P3,500, akin to condo living.
DHSUD-11 Director Miguel Palma Gil said that the housing units about 27 to 28-square meters will have a monthly amortization of about P3,500. He said that they are trying to reduce the payment to P2,700 for the first five years.
Gil said that the low monthly payments are due to the reduced cost of the housing units at P1.26 million for a 28-square meter unit. He added that a standard condominium unit with a floor area of 18-square meters typically costs between P3 million and P4 million.
He also said that buyers, who should be Pag-IBIG members, will not need to pay an equity amount, as they will begin their monthly amortization payments three months before receiving the certificate of completion.
Gil encouraged those interested in the government’s 4PH program to register as beneficiaries. He said they can inquire at Pag-IBIG offices and they will set up desks at DHSUD offices to accept applications.