Malacañang has hit attempts to take credit for the People’s Ville housing project in Davao City, presenting proof that it was an initiative planned and implemented under President Marcos.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro refuted claims that the housing project in Calinan District, Davao City, was not initiated by the Marcos administration.

"Ang proyektong ito ay pinagplanuhan, trinabaho ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., dahil iyan ang nais ng Pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan at ito ay para sa mga taga-Davao City (This project was planned, implemented by the current administration of President Marcos Jr. because that is what the President wants for our fellow citizens and this is for the people of Davao City)," Castro said.

To support her statement, Castro presented a copy of the project's development permit, dated July 18, 2023, clarifying that it was indeed a Marcos project.

Castro also said that the Certificate of Registration for People's Ville 1, 2, 3 condominium project was issued on June 20, 2024; and the building permit issued on Feb. 16, 2024.

"Taong 2023 nang ma-approve ang development permit ng proyekto, noong 2024 naman ay inilabas ang Certificate of Registration nito habang ang building permit ay na-issue noong February 2024. Ipapakita ko po ang mga katibayan na aksiyon ng pamahalaan patungkol dito sa People’s Ville (The project’s development permit was approved in 2023. Its Certificate of Registration was issued in 2024, while the building permit was issued in February 2024. I will present the evidence of the government’s actions and involvement in the People’s Ville project)," she said during the briefing.

Without naming names, she said she presented the copy of the documents so that people will not be misled by "people who are pretending."

"Narito po ang Development Permit para hindi po tayo mabulag at maloko ng ibang mga taong nagpapanggap na ang proyektong ito ay sa kanila at hindi sa kasalukuyang administrasyon (Here is the Development Permit, so that we will not be misled or deceived by people who are pretending that this project belongs to them and not to the current administration)," Castro said.

"So, mainam po na maging mapanuri tayo, at ang proyektong ito ay para po sa ating mga kababayan, hindi para magpabida ang sinuman kung hindi laan ito para sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na sa Davao City (So, it is important for us to be discerning. This project is for our fellow Filipinos, not for anyone to take show off. It is intended for our people, especially those in Davao City)," Castro added.

According to Malacañang, more than 2,600 condominium units have been completed while four buildings with 400 units are currently under construction at the People’s Ville Housing Project.

The project is designed to set up a total of 7,200 condominium units across 72 residential buildings, providing secure and dignified housing for families in Davao City.

It is also aimed at reducing the housing backlog in the city.

On July 28, 2026, Marcos visited the People’s Ville, a condominium-type housing, located in Barangay Riverside, Calinan District.

During his visit, the President also committed to add 42 more buildings, noting that the government is now prioritizing housing nationwide.

In an interview on Aug. 6, on the sidelines of the Thanksgiving mass for Kadayawan 2026, Vice President Sara Duterte was sought for reaction on Marcos' visit at the People's Ville.

The Vice President said she did not want to comment on the visit and suggested to instead get the comment of the people the President visited.

"Yes, I know kasi project namin yan nung mayor ako, di ba? So ayaw ko mag-comment sa kanyang pagbisita. Siguro ang mas maganda ay ipa-comment natin yung mga tao na binisita niya dahil wala naman ako doon nung bumisita siya. So, mas maganda tanungin natin yung mga tao na nandoon kung ano yung komento nila, ano yung opinion nila sa pagbisita ni BBM doon (Yes, I know, because that was our project when I was mayor, right? So I don’t want to comment on his visit. I think it would be better to ask the people he visited since I wasn’t there when he went. It would be better to ask the people who were there what they thought and what their opinions were about BBM’s visit)," the Vice President said.